When you go to war, you have to be prepared to take bullets: Nahid Rana
Nahid also revealed that BCB has a clear plan for his development.
After Rangpur Riders' victory in Tuesday's BPL match, the hero of the day, Nahid Rana, walked into the post-match press conference at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
As he strolled past the southwest gallery, the crowd erupted in chants of "Nahid Bhai, Nahid Bhai!"
Fans clamoured for pictures and cheered loudly for Bangladesh's emerging pace sensation.
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Acknowledging their admiration, Nahid responded with a wave and a smile.
Despite his growing popularity, Nahid humbly downplayed his star status.
"I don't see myself as a star," he remarked, reflecting the grounded attitude he has maintained in his 10-month journey with the national team.
When asked about handling the pressures of stardom, he replied with an analogy: "When you go to war, you have to be prepared to take bullets."
This pragmatic outlook has become a hallmark of Nahid's approach to cricket.
Discussions surrounding his workload management have been ongoing, especially given the history of injuries among fast bowlers like Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Taskin Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain.
However, Nahid views these challenges as inherent to the game. "If you play cricket, injuries are part of the package," said the 22-year-old right-arm pacer.
Nahid has been a key player for Rangpur Riders this season, taking nine wickets in five consecutive matches.
Questions about potential overuse and injury risks naturally followed.
Nevertheless, Nahid reassured everyone about his fitness, stating, "I maintain my fitness as much as possible. I follow the schedules provided by BCB and try to stay as injury-free as I can."
He regularly consults with both national and team physiotherapists to ensure his body remains in optimal condition.
"I'm in constant communication with the national team physio, Bayezid Bhai, and our Rangpur physio, Sajib Bhai," he shared, adding, "Alhamdulillah, I feel great physically."
Nahid also revealed that BCB has a clear plan for his development.
"After my last ODI in the West Indies, I had a break to work on my fitness. BCB has given me specific guidelines, and so far, everything is on track," he noted.
The young pacer's rise has not gone unnoticed.
His combination of speed and accuracy has drawn praise from cricketing legends and coaches alike.
Rangpur's head coach, Mickey Arthur, described Nahid as a "special talent" who could serve Bangladesh for a long time.
Even Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi lauded Nahid's potential in a press conference on Sunday.
Despite the accolades, Nahid remains focused. "I try to stay as far away from these distractions as possible," he admitted.
"It feels good to hear praise, but I avoid letting it create complacency. I'm not a star—I'm just like everyone else, trying to stay grounded and focused on improvement."
Reflecting on Rangpur Riders' impressive run of five consecutive wins, Nahid credited the team's strong bonding.
"We're enjoying ourselves, both on and off the field. Our team bonding is excellent, and it translates into our performances. We try to execute the plans given by our coach and management, and it's working well for us," he said.
Nahid Rana's match-winning figures of 3 for 21 in 4 overs against Dhaka earned him the Player of the Match award, further solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest stars in Bangladeshi cricket.
