SYLHET, Bangladesh — As Bangladesh gears up for the initial match of their two-game test series against Zimbabwe set for Sunday, all eyes are on Nahid Rana, a promising fast bowler. At just 22, Nahid’s quick deliveries have been clocked at 140 kph (90 mph), offering Bangladesh the fiery pace they’ve longed for in their bowling lineup.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is optimistic about Nahid’s potential impact on Zimbabwe’s batsmen. “Once Zimbabwe’s batsmen face him, their reactions will show just how uniquely fast Nahid is,” he stated before the match. Shanto believes that Nahid’s sensational speed will leave an impression on the opposition.
Nahid played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s impressive achievements last year, notably aiding their series clean sweep against Pakistan and securing a historic win against the West Indies in the Caribbean, a feat not accomplished since 2009. With 20 wickets to his name from six tests, Nahid has consistently received encouragement from his team to unleash his full speed during matches.
Discussing the strategy regarding Nahid, Shanto detailed how the team has always inspired him to maintain his velocity. “I’ve watched him grow since his academy days. Our clear directive has been to reach upwards of 140 kilometers per hour,” he shared. Shanto holds high expectations that Nahid will achieve this during the test.
Bangladesh enters the match favored to win, holding a slight advantage with eight victories to Zimbabwe’s seven in their last 18 encounters. Shanto emphasized their focus on collaborative success, “Our aim is to win every match without selfish play. We’re setting the tone for something new, with the players mentally preparing for a fresh approach starting tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s seasoned batter Sean Williams remains unfazed by Nahid’s reputation for speed. “He’s not the sole fast bowler in international cricket,” Williams remarked, noting that today’s players often face fast deliveries, even from machines. Despite this, Zimbabwe’s captain Craig Ervin assures their team is preparing for Nahid’s pace. “We’ve studied footage of Nahid and are readying our mindset to face him,” Ervin explained.
The Zimbabwean team is eager to end their winless streak in test matches, with no victories since March 2021 and their most recent defeat to Ireland in February by 63 runs. In their past five visits to Bangladesh, Zimbabwe has seen modest success, securing just two wins out of ten matches, with their last win at this venue in 2018.