Impressive Rana prioritizes skill over pace

Bangladesh pace bowler Nahid Rana said he is prioritizing skill development over pure pace. His maiden five-wicket haul helped Bangladesh secure an eight-wicket victory against Pakistan in the first ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Rana became the first Bangladeshi pacer to take the first five wickets of an innings. He removed Sahibzada Farhan (27), Shamyl Hussain (4), Maaz Sadaqat (18), Mohammad Rizwan (10), and Salman Agha (5), reducing Pakistan to 69 for 5 and triggering a collapse.

"In international cricket, skill matters more than pure pace," Rana told reporters. "So I am trying to work more on improving my skills."

He credited Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed for their guidance during the match. "They told me that if you hit the right areas or maintain a proper line and length, it becomes difficult for the batters. So I just tried to execute that."

Rana emphasized understanding the pitch conditions. "I believe that a bowler should understand the wicket first, whatever the condition is, and then bowl according to what the wicket demands."

He welcomed the presence of a sporting wicket in Bangladesh, stating it helps improve players' skillsets. "If we can get more sporting wickets in our country, then when we go abroad and play on similar wickets, it won't feel unfamiliar."

Rana also praised pace bowling coach Shaun Tait. "He is an outstanding coach because he behaves with us not only as a coach but also as a friend. He always motivates us and gives us the best guidance."

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson acknowledged Rana's impact. "Nahid Rana was exceptional. He changed the game. He bowled into the wicket, created some variation and bounce. We didn't respond as well as we needed to. All credit to him."

"It's the first time I've seen him bowl live," Hesson added. "He bowls hard into the surface, he presents the seam, he bowls cross seam."