Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has said he is deliberately keeping a distance from the noise of expectations, arguing that it only creates avoidable pressure. The 23-year-old quick has drawn growing attention in Bangladesh cricket for his raw pace, a trait that has helped him stand out in a crowded pool of pacers. Speaking to reporters after Day 2 of the Sylhet Test against Pakistan, Rana\u2014who finished the day with figures of 3 for 60\u2014made it clear that he is more focused on execution than on what others want him to deliver.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, I\u2019m not paying much attention to what people around me are saying because I don\u2019t really set expectations for myself,\u201d Rana said. He added that expectations, in his view, rarely help a player stay calm and effective. Instead, his priority is to focus on what he can control: his skills on the field, the role he is asked to play, and the plan his captain is providing. \u201cMy focus is always on whether I can execute those things or not,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Rana also elaborated on how he tries to prevent outside expectations from becoming a mental burden. In his words, when a player starts expecting too much from himself\u2014or feels pushed by what others demand\u2014pressure builds quickly. He said he is not trying to create that pressure internally, and is simply working to support the team using the strengths he brings. He underlined that this mindset is matched by a disciplined approach off the field as well.<\/p>\n
On fitness and preparation, Rana stressed that these are not left to chance. \u201cAs a sportsman, this is part of my routine,\u201d he said, adding that because he has chosen cricket as his profession, there are responsibilities beyond match days that must be handled properly. He claimed he never ignores those duties or \u201ccheats\u201d himself, and is continuously trying to keep both effort and physical condition at a high level.<\/p>\n
Rana further pointed to the value of guidance from Taskin Ahmed, who returned to the Test setup for the Pakistan series. He suggested that bowling partnerships bring pressure in a positive way, helping the team maintain momentum and create opportunities. Taskin, once again, set the tone in Sylhet by striking early to remove Pakistan\u2019s two in-form openers, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal. At the other end, Shoriful Islam\u2014back in the Test team after two years\u2014tightened the contest and created chances for Bangladesh. Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck before Rana, and Taijul Islam then cleaned up the tail as Pakistan were dismissed for 232, giving Bangladesh a valuable 44-run advantage. By the close of play, Bangladesh held an overall lead of 156 runs.<\/p>\n
Rana described his relationship with Taskin in warm terms, saying it feels like mentorship rooted in familiarity. \u201cMy relationship with him is very good. I have watched him play since I was young, and after seeing him up close, I see him as an elder brother,\u201d Rana said. He added that Taskin treats him with the affection of a younger sibling would receive, and when Rana makes mistakes, he offers direct advice\u2014telling him what he should do differently. \u201cBecause he has already gone through this phase of life and cricket, he guides me a lot,\u201d Rana said, adding that their bond is built on that kind of guidance.<\/p>\n
Rana also addressed the matter of bouncers and said he would not hold back if opponents choose that tactic against him. The series has featured a notable bouncer battle involving Rana and Pakistan\u2019s bowlers, one that has shaped the wider subplot of the contest. It began in Mirpur, when Shaheen Shah Afridi hit Rana with a bouncer during the first innings of the opening Test. \u201cI don\u2019t know whether they will think twice or not, but I can say this much\u2014if someone bowls bouncers at me, I will not spare them,\u201d Rana said, making his stance clear.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has said he is deliberately keeping a distance from the noise of expectations, arguing that it only creates avoidable pressure.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Nahid Rana on IPL Pressure, Pace & Pakistan Test Update","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Nahid Rana on IPL pressure and pace: he says expectations add unnecessary strain, so he stays focused on execution after his Pakistan Test spell.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n