Fast Bowler Nahid Rana Garners Praise Ahead of Champions Trophy Match Against India

Pace bowler Nahid Rana’s natural speed and bounce have made him a standout performer in his short career. With his pace and ability to generate extra bounce due to his height, he has made life difficult for many batters. His fast bowling has earned him widespread praise, and ahead of the Champions Trophy match against India, his name dominated the discussions during Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's press conference.

When asked about Nahid Rana's performance in the Champions Trophy, Shanto expressed his happiness, saying, “I’m very pleased with how he (Nahid Rana) has been bowling well in recent matches, especially with the pace he’s been generating. On such pitches, he gets more help with his bowling, which puts the opposition under pressure. However, he needs to stay fit and maintain this form. There are also 2-3 other pacers in the squad, so we have a good bowling unit overall.”

In 2024, Nahid Rana was ranked second in the list of fastest bowlers in Test cricket, with only England’s Mark Wood ahead of him in terms of speed. His experience playing Tests against India will also be valuable in the Champions Trophy, as Captain Shanto noted: “He (Rana) has played one Test against India, so he does have some experience. He doesn’t worry about the opposition; he just gives his best for the team. I hope he continues to do the same tomorrow.”

Bangladesh's pace attack in the tournament will include Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Mustafizur Rahman. The Bangladesh captain expressed satisfaction with the new pace attack, saying, “Yes, absolutely. In the past, we always struggled with our pace bowling. But in recent years, quality fast bowlers have emerged. Now, we have Nahid Rana and Taskin. As a captain, it’s great to have such fast bowlers. The swing could be there under the floodlights, and if we bowl in the right areas, the team will benefit.”

Bangladesh’s campaign in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will begin tomorrow, February 20, with a match against India in Dubai. After playing their first match against Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s India, the Bangladesh team will head to Pakistan.