‘I am Nahid Rana, and I want to be Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana’

In an interview with TBS a few days before his Test debut for Bangladesh, Nahid Rana had mentioned that he doesn't follow anyone. He wants to remain 'special' in his own way. At that time, the young right-arm pacer from Bangladesh was not widely known, awaiting his entry into international cricket. Even then, Nahid had belief in himself, and now, he has become an integral part of the team. The team relies on him to trouble opponents with his blistering pace.

Whenever pace is discussed, certain names come up, like Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan and Brett Lee of Australia. When asked if he wanted to be like any of these fast bowlers or others, Nahid's answer remains the same – he doesn't want to be like anyone else. The 21-year-old pace sensation simply wants to be Bangladesh's Nahid Rana.

Though he still has room for improvement in his line-length or spot bowling, it was his pace that first got him considered for the national team. He made his debut last March in a home series against Sri Lanka. While he didn't do anything extraordinary, his consistent pace earned him recognition.

Most recently, Nahid displayed his pace during Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan. Along with speed, he also showcased his skill, control over line and length, and the ability to bowl according to the situation. With four wickets in one innings and six wickets over two Tests, the Bangladeshi pacer made quite an impact, earning praise from many in the cricketing world.

In the country where Nahid unleashed his pace, fast bowling has a rich history. Pakistan has produced speedsters like Waqar Younis, Mohammad Zahid, and Shoaib Akhtar. Perhaps because of this recent Pakistan tour, the young Bangladeshi pacer has been compared to Shoaib Akhtar. When asked about the Pakistan legend, Nahid shared his thoughts. In a video posted on social media by the BCB, he said, "I don't want to be like anyone. I am Nahid Rana, and I want to be Bangladesh's Nahid Rana."

While he doesn't follow any specific pacer, Nahid admires Bangladesh's fast bowlers. Speaking about the senior pacers whose games he grew up watching on TV, Nahid said, "Honestly, I don't really follow anyone in that way. But I like all the Bangladeshi pacers because I grew up watching them on TV. There isn't anyone specific (that I follow). Everyone in the Bangladesh team is my senior. I watched their bowling on TV while growing up, and I like everyone's bowling."

Nahid followed his plans well during the Pakistan tour. Happy to be part of Bangladesh's pace attack and meeting his own expectations, the tall pacer said, "It wasn't like a dream. But what I had hoped to achieve, and what the team expected of me, I was able to do. Before leaving the country, I had said I wanted to contribute something for the country. I've been able to do that, and it feels good."

Though Nahid bowled at 149.7 km/h during the last BPL while playing for Khulna Tigers, he says he doesn't aim to bowl at any specific speed. His only goal is to implement the plans of the team and himself: "I never felt that I had to bowl at 152 km/h or even faster. I always bowled with the thought in mind to follow the team's plan and my own plan."

Having returned to Bangladesh after an historic Test series win in Pakistan, the team is now preparing for their upcoming tour of India. Ahead of the two Tests and three T20 matches, Bangladesh's cricketers are training hard at Mirpur Stadium. Nahid, too, is determined to perform well on this tour, saying, "Preparations are going well. The better the preparation, the better we'll be able to perform in the matches. India are a strong team, of course, but in cricket, whichever team plays better will win. That will be decided in the matches. I certainly have goals. I still have more to give to the team, and InshaAllah, I will."