Bangladesh’s rising star Nahid Rana has captured the attention of the cricketing world with his electrifying performances. After making an instant impact on his Test debut against Sri Lanka, the 21-year-old speedster continued his impressive form in the historic 2-0 series win over Pakistan. Now, with his sights set on the upcoming away Test series against India, Rana is ready to take on another formidable opponent.
In the recent series against Pakistan, Rana consistently hit the 150 kmph mark, showcasing his raw pace and exceptional bowling skills. His stellar performance in the second innings of the final Test in Rawalpindi, where he took four wickets for 44 runs, was instrumental in securing a historic series sweep for Bangladesh.
Despite the upcoming challenge against India, Rana remains confident and focused. “Obviously we are well prepared for the India series. We have started training. The more we are prepared, the better we will be in execution during the matches,” he said in a video shared by Bangladesh Cricket on X. “India are a good team but the team that plays better cricket will win. We will see when we go there.”
Rana’s meteoric rise has been remarkable. He has emerged as a genuine fast bowling threat, quickly making a name for himself with his ability to bowl consistently fast over long spells. His debut against Sri Lanka saw him break the 150 kmph barrier, creating headlines and confirming his potential.
In the second Test against Pakistan, Rana made an immediate impact, dismissing Shan Masood with his third delivery and then claiming the prized wicket of Babar Azam in his next over. “Before leaving, I had said that I wanted to achieve something for my country, and it feels great to have delivered on what was expected of me,” he said.
The upcoming Test series against India promises to be a thrilling encounter. The first Test is scheduled to be held in Chennai, a venue known for its bounce-friendly pitch.
When asked if he is ready to hit the 152 kmph mark again, Rana responded, “I will strive to give my best. Pace is something you can’t always predict – it depends a lot on rhythm. Sometimes, it just clicks, and suddenly you find yourself hitting those speeds. I never set out to clock 152 kmph or push past that. I just focused on executing the team’s plan. My friends and folks back in the village are really happy of my achievement.”
Rana’s journey to the top is truly inspiring. His cricketing journey began when his brother enrolled him in an academy in 2020 after he finished college. He made his First-Class debut in October 2021 and quickly made a mark, taking 32 wickets in the following season. In the 2022-23 National Cricket League, Rana and Sumon Khan achieved a rare feat, with both taking over 30 wickets, an accomplishment not seen in over 11 years for fast bowlers in the domestic First-Class tournament.
Determined to forge his own path, Rana said, “I don’t want to be like anyone else. I want to create my own identity and be known as Nahid Rana of Bangladesh,” he said. “I haven’t followed any particular bowler. I’ve watched and learned from everyone – my seniors and those I grew up watching,” he signed off.
As Bangladesh prepares to face India in the upcoming Test series, the cricketing world will be watching intently to see if Nahid Rana can continue his remarkable rise and further cement his status as a rising star in the world of cricket.
