“I knew he would play for Bangladesh” – Ashraful shares untold stories about Nah – I knew he would play for Bangladesh – Ashraful shares untold stories about Nahid Rana

Ashraful Shares Untold Stories About Nahid Rana

Bangladesh batting coach and former captain Mohammad Ashraful has revealed several untold stories about rising fast-bowling star Nahid Rana. He says that he was convinced from their very first meeting that the young pacer would one day play for the national team.

Ashraful recalled facing Nahid in his domestic debut match and being immediately impressed by his raw pace. “The first time I saw Nahid Rana was in Cox’s Bazar during his debut match against Barishal. I was opening the batting and faced him that day,” Ashraful said. “After the match, since we were staying at the same hotel, I called him to my room. During our conversation, I learned that he wasn’t even included in the preliminary Under-19 squad of 45 players. Honestly, I was surprised to hear that.”

Nahid’s Pace Stood Out

Ashraful said Nahid’s pace stood out from the very beginning. “After facing him, I felt he was the fastest bowler in Bangladesh at that moment. We already had several quick bowlers, including Hasan Mahmud, but Nahid looked faster than anyone else.”

The former Bangladesh captain was so impressed that he immediately contacted an Under-19 selector. “I called Under-19 selector Shipon Bhai and told him that I had just seen an incredibly fast bowler. He told me there were two or three bowlers in the squad who were even quicker than Nahid. That surprised me. If there were bowlers faster than him, then that was wonderful news for Bangladesh cricket.”

A Bright Future Ahead

Drawing on his own international experience, Ashraful believed Nahid’s future was bright from day one. “I played international cricket for 13 years and captained Bangladesh. From my experience, I felt he would reach the national team very quickly. I told him to stay disciplined and always take care of himself.”

Over the last several months, Ashraful has worked closely with Nahid in the national team setup and says the youngster’s character has impressed him just as much as his bowling. “I’ve been with the national team for the last six or seven months. At such a young age, it’s rare to see someone so disciplined. I also entered the Bangladesh team at a young age, so I understand how difficult it can be.”

Ashraful also shared a story that reflects Nahid’s commitment to fitness. “After playing in a PSL final, he returned to the hotel, dropped off his bags, and then went straight to the swimming pool at night. He swam for about half an hour. Seeing that level of dedication to fitness really impressed me.”

“Alhamdulillah, despite all the success he has achieved, he remains humble and grounded.”

Challenges and Determination

The former captain also spoke about the challenges Nahid faced earlier in his career. “Later, I learned that he had suffered an injury, possibly a fracture in his leg. But he completed his rehabilitation seriously and worked hard to return. That determination to prove himself was always there.”

Ashraful then reflected on his own journey, revealing that he once considered giving up cricket after missing out on an Under-13 team selection.

However, he said those disappointments only made him stronger, and he sees a similar mindset in Nahid. “Maybe Nahid had that same determination inside him. From an early stage, he started taking care of himself and working hard. Now it’s wonderful to see him performing so well for Bangladesh in multiple formats.”

Ashraful also highlighted their time together at Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). “Over the last two BPL seasons with Rangpur Riders, I’ve seen how serious Nahid is about his cricket. He is extremely dedicated and continues to perform consistently in every format.”