2024-03-22 02:24:20
Nahid Rana was waiting to play in the Premier League for Abahani. He was on the sidebench in the first three rounds. But on Sunday evening, the phone of Shahriar Nafis, the in-charge of BCB’s cricket operations department, suddenly rang on his mobile phone. A happy message came from the other side of the phone, ‘You have been placed in the first Test squad against Sri Lanka. I have to go to Sylhet on Tuesday to join the team.
On that one phone, Nahid Rana’s world was filled with joy. Back then, the fast pacer dived into his amazing cricket journey. The first cricket ball was bowled in 2020. A year later, he made his debut in the national league for the divisional team. Even though Abhishek was modest in his debut season, the people concerned knew about the gunpowder inside him. So next year, Rajshahi department plans around him.
Nahid did not look back. Spread light with 32 wickets in one season. Came into the limelight by picking up the second highest wicket. Then just move on. Only climbing up the ladder of success. He picked up the six-ounce ball in 2020 with the dream of representing the country. After four years of sweaty work, that dream is about to be fulfilled. If everything goes well, Nahid will play the first Test against Sri Lanka on Friday.
Why is Nahid different? How did you come to the national team in four years? One word is enough to answer and analyze that question, speed. When you hear the sound of the fast bowler, the image of the West Indies pacer comes to mind. Along with Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar’s devastating form comes to the fore. Each of them was a speed king. Terrible in their day. A threat to batsmen. Nahid Rana is the flag bearer of speed. Immersed in the thrill of testing with wings of speed.
Nahid is the fastest bowler in Bangladesh cricket now. Pace is his bowling weapon. In the last BPL, he surprised everyone by bowling at a speed of 149.7 kmph. He also showed his ability by bowling 145-147 km regularly. From there, Nahid is now at the door of the national team. The selector Abdur Razzak did not hesitate to say that speed was the main reason for taking him into the team, ‘At the moment Nahid is probably the fastest bowler in the country.’
His bowling performance in first class cricket is enviable. 63 wickets at an average of 21.92 in 15 matches. Mushfiq Hasan is another pacer in this Test along with Nahid Rana. Both the pacers are quite promising. However, as Nahid is ahead of the pace, the dream of the team management is huge. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha’s words also got some light, “All of them are enthusiastic and have potential for Bangladesh.” Can bowl at a speed of 140 kmph. But they are all young, strong. Both started their first-class cricket career well. They bowled a lot. I look forward to seeing either of them in this match. Maybe both of them.’
The important aspect of Naheed’s runner’s bowling is his action. Very natural bowling action. Body structure is long. But in Likli. Get extra speed while throwing the ball due to high arm action. You can use the body’s energy very well. He did not play age-specific cricket as he started practicing directly with the cricket ball.
In 2020, Clemons was bowled with instinctive action when he admitted to indoor practice. Coach Alamgir Kabir did not change his action. Rather, Nahid decided the runner’s action by rubbing it. Alamgir Kabir said, ‘We kept him as we found him. Because it generates extra speed due to its action. It has been good for him.’
But this action can also cause damage. Pacers have to battle with injuries. Nahid Rana will also have to fight for action with injuries. That’s why Alamgir Kabir advises him to use it carefully. Drowning in the thrill, Nahid knows that he can become a long race horse only if he takes care of himself. What to do for this already know, ‘I want to be as fit as possible. If I stay fit I can play.’
The thought that Nahid has been taken to the national team. “I will try to give my best,” he said in a plan which considered him wanting to unleash all the potential of the fast bowler. The dream was to play in the national team. That dream is about to come true. My goal is basically one, I will try to give my best to the team if I get a chance.’
There are four pacers in the squad. Nahid and Mushfiq with Syed Khaled, Shariful. Hathurusinghe did not want to give an idea about what the ideal combination could be, ‘everyone can play. But we can add two or three in the XI. The ideal combination depends on our strengths and the opponent’s limitations.’
Nahid Rana is immersed in the thrill of the biggest Mahendra moment of his life after going through the difficult conditions given by his parents (cricket after SSC), leaving the thorny path, going through various stages of his ups and downs. Dressed in white, running 22 yards with a red ball in hand; Such a dream is waiting to be realized.