Courtney Walsh urged me to keep learning and improving, says Nahid Rana
The 22-year-old fast bowler, who has quickly become a key figure in the national team, played a crucial role in levelling the series against the West Indies.
Nahid Rana's meteoric rise in Bangladesh cricket continues to draw attention, with legendary pacer Courtney Walsh offering him words of encouragement following his match-winning performance in the Jamaica Test.
The 22-year-old fast bowler, who has quickly become a key figure in the national team, played a crucial role in levelling the series against the West Indies.
Reflecting on their conversation during a media interaction after a training session on Saturday, Nahid shared, "After the last match in Jamaica, Courtney Walsh told me to take care of myself and maintain my fitness. He said to keep learning, as there's no end to it. Wherever I go, I try to pick up new things, and here in the West Indies, I've learned about adapting to the conditions and how to bowl in this weather."
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While he missed out on selection for the first Test in Antigua, he made an emphatic return in the second.
Despite Bangladesh being dismissed for just 164 in their first innings, Nahid's fiery spell turned the match on its head. His figures of 5 for 61 helped restrict the West Indies to 146, giving Bangladesh a crucial 18-run lead.
The Tigers capitalised on this momentum to level the series 1-1 with a convincing victory.
In his brief career so far, Nahid has showcased not only his raw pace—touching speeds over 150 km/h—but also his ability to maintain control and accuracy. His career tally already stands at 20 wickets from just six Tests, including his maiden five-wicket haul in Jamaica.
While his skills with the ball have earned him plaudits, Nahid admits his batting remains a work in progress.
He was seen working with coach Mohammad Salahuddin to improve his contributions with the bat. "If you enjoy something, it never feels difficult," Nahid remarked.
"The coach emphasised getting the basics right so that everything flows smoothly. If I can contribute 15-20 runs for the team, that's enough for me."
Nahid's humility and eagerness to learn have been evident throughout his young career.
He said, "Under every coach, I try to learn something new. Wherever I travel, I adapt to the conditions and pick up knowledge about how to bowl effectively. I'm always focused on how to give my best for the team."
