Allan Donald has urged Bangladesh not to tinker with fast bowler Nahid Rana’s technique in the recent episode of The Scoop.
Nahid Rana has enjoyed a meteoric rise since his international debut in 2024, with his ability to rock batting lineups with pace and bounce, even hitting 150kph. He had an impactful recent Test series against Pakistan, taking 11 wickets at 25 each with a best of 5-40 in the fourth innings of the first game.
Allan Donald worked with the young pacer during his time as the fast-bowling coach of Bangladesh between 2022 and 2023. He recalled suggesting former Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo to fast-track Rana into the national setup after being impressed with his outing during a camp in Chattogram.
“He's a handful, that kid. He's quick, he's lean, he's just a fantastic athlete,” Donald said on The Scoop by Wisden.com. “I saw him in a camp that was organised. They brought a whole bunch of young quicks from all over Bangladesh to Chattogram for a two-and-a-half-day camp, and that's where I met him for the first time.
“I was so excited about him that I told Russell Domingo, the coach at that stage, let's chuck this kid in somewhere. He's unknown, he's raw, he's quick. And now he's doing it in all formats. It's, it's just amazing to see.”
Donaldo compared Rana’s technique with Steve Harmison, while urging Bangladesh to let him bowl quickly and not have him change his approach.
“He is a bit like Steven Harmison in his pump,” the great South African added. “Harmy was just big and not the greatest runner, but for his rhythm, he was very good. In terms of getting the ball from A to B, all the mechanical things fall into place from back foot strike to front foot strike, from the release to the hips, beautifully. He was brutally fast, Harmison. And the same with Nahid Rana.
“I think the important thing about him is not to tell him to narrow down channels and just hit lengths. The first innings of the Dhaka Test. He went for 114 [104-1], picked up one or none in the first innings, and then he took a five-for. And this is why you never tinker with his ability. He might leak runs, but there's a six-for around the corner, and that's the genius of him. So, I think that's why Nahid Rana must just go and bowl quick.”
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