Agency :
Chittagong Kings’ Head Coach Shaun Tait was asked about the growing reputation of Bangladesh’s young sensation and Rangpur Riders’ pacer Nahid Rana during a press conference on the opening day of the Bangladesh Premier League’s training.
Though they represent rival teams on the field, their shared identity as fast bowlers-one a former speedster and the other a rising talent-creates an intriguing connection.
Nahid made his international debut in a Test match against Sri Lanka in March this year. The right-arm pacer has since impressed on various pitches, including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, UAE, and the West Indies, consistently catching the eye with his pace and accuracy.
In his latest performance during the West Indies series, Nahid took five wickets in Jamaica, playing a key role in Bangladesh’s victory. His fiery spells have drawn praise from cricketing legends such as Ian Bishop, Samuel Badree, Sir Curtly Ambrose, and Courtney Walsh.
Shaun Tait, who first noticed Nahid’s bowling during Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan, was particularly impressed.
“I first saw him bowl on television during the Pakistan Test series. He’s tall, strong, and has raw pace. It’s exciting for Bangladesh cricket, especially for their fast-bowling department, which has seen remarkable growth in recent years,” Tait said.
“Nahid, with his ability to bowl at 150 km/h, is a rare talent. Bangladesh must take good care of him, as he has the potential to achieve great things for the team,” Tait added. He further lauded Bangladesh’s evolving pace attack, citing players like Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Hasan Mahmud, who have transformed the team’s bowling dynamics.
