Nahid Rana out to make his first ICC event memorable

Dhaka, 19 Feb  - Fast bowler Nahid Rana’s impressive rise gave Bangladesh’s pace department a diversity, which could be handy in their Champions trophy mission in Pakistan and Dubai, said BCB director Nazmul Abedin Fahim.

“He was impressive in the BPL. He continued to unsettle the batters in the tournament in most of the matches with his express pace, which will give Bangladesh management a confidence to do well in the Champions Trophy,” Fahim, also a respected coach, told the BSS recently.
“Our pace department has been excellent in the last three or four years. And Nahid’s addition is like a fresh breath of air. He brought the diversity in the pace department with his express pace.”

For Nahid Rana who is Bangladesh’s fastest-ever bowler by regularly topping 150kph, the Champions Trophy will be his first ICC event.

His pace and consistency had already earned a huge plaudits. Nahid who played for Rangpur Riders in the BPL, took 10 wickets in 12 matches but more than his wicket-tally, his pace was a treat to watch. That a genuine fast bowler sent the stump cater-wheeling was a sight to behold in this BPL.

After playing six Tests, Nahid made his ODI debut in West Indies in last December. He was equally impressive in his ODI debut too.

“We have good number of local players who played well in BPL, so they are now confident. This confidence will be a boon for us in Champions Trophy,” Fahim said, adding that playing in sporting wicket in BPL also would be handy.

“We have good pitch in BPL, where batter enjoyed and skilful bowlers thrived in. As I said earlier, the pitch is one of the success stories of BPL this year because batters got the confidence by scoring runs which they needed ahead of the Champions trophy.”

He added: “Bowlers like Nahid Rana also learnt how to bowl in this wicket. Since Nahid was successful in bowling in this kind of wicket, he may get Champions Trophy wicket an easier place for him.”

Nahid, himself also said, he enjoyed bowling in BPL pitches because for a bowler it was challenging.

“When you can overcome a challenge, it will give you satisfaction and confidence,” Nahid told the BSS during the BPL Chattogram phase.

“I enjoyed a lot bowling in this wicket. It was batting-favourable wicket but if the bowlers can maintain a ling and length, they can still thrive in this wicket.”
Nahid was key in helping Rangpur clinch eight straight matches in the BPL. However, they later lost five matches in a row including the Eliminator game to be crashed out of the tournament.

“I think Nahid Rana will be a very good bowler. First of all he is quick, he got pace and the skill. He got the all attributes to be a quality International fast bowler,” Rangpur Riders coach Mickey Aurther said, adding that he also uses his brain with his pace that makes him obvious from others.

“He understands when to use the skill. I don’t see any reason as to why he won’t go strength from strength and will be exceptional bowler in years to come,” he said.

Nahid played 12 matches of Rangpur’s 13 in BPL and the continuous cricket seemed to have taken a toll on his young body. As a result, he lost the pace but the good thing is that he regained it just ahead of the Champions trophy, said Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons
"He( Nahid Rana) has looked slower than normal in the last couple of games (in BPL). The run-up was less than normal approaching the wicket,” Simmons said.

“They (Rana’s team Rangpur) got knocked out early so he had a bit of rest. He looked sharp in training. The pace was coming back. The run-up was as quick as it was in the Caribbean (Bangladesh’s tour in West Indies in December last year).”

Simmons further said Nahid’s pace will be key weapon for Bangladesh in the upcoming Champions Trophy.BSS