Test debutant Nahid Rana proved menacing with taking three wickets when he bowled with speeds regularly clocking in the mid-140s when Dhananjaya Silva was his maiden wicket.
The young pacer Rana, who made his debut against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday, wreaked havoc on the visitors, who were all out for 288 runs.
The right arm medium pacer scalped three wickets conceding 87 runs in his 14 overs spells.
When Nahid Rana had call in the Bangladesh squad for the Sri Lanka Tests, it was a bit surprised to so many. The boy from Chapainawabganj, a right-arm fast bowler played for Khulna Tigers in the last two seasons in the franchise cricket tournament, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
He did not do anything outstanding in those limited opportunities in the tournament but his excellent pace caught everyone’s eye.
Rana played only 15 first-class matches with four List A games and five T-20s but his red-ball numbers and pace is hard to overlook. In the BPL 2024 he bowled over 140 k/ph. Against Rangpur Riders, he clocked 149.7 k/ph. in a delivery and he has been fast-tracked to the Test set-up. Right now he is the fastest bowler in professional cricket in the country.
After having the dream Test call-up now he is dreaming to bowl at 150 k/ph.
The 21-year-old Rana got himself admitted into Clemon Cricket Academy in Rajshahi at the age of 18 and within only three years he has earned a national call-up and wore Test Cap comin through many levels of cricket.
He drew the attention of former Test cricketer turned Coach Alamgir Kabir at the academy. Rana began working with Kabir and later got called up in the Under-19 camp but couldn't make the final squad for the 2022 U-19 World Cup.
Nahid, who is overwhelmed having the Test call, told the media, “I am very happy. It's like a dream, I can't express the feeling in words.”
“I had a feeling that I could get a call-up anytime. I was prepared and it happened,” he added.
"If I get an opportunity, my target would be to help the team win. I want to give my best and contribute to the team's win. I am not thinking beyond that," said the young pacer.