Nahid Rana delivered a bowling performance for the ages,
dismantling Zimbabwe with a breathtaking six-wicket haul in the first ODI at
the Harare Sports Club. The fiery young speedster completely tore through the
hosts' batting lineup, etching his name into the history books with a spell of
rare accuracy and lethal pace.
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| Image Credits: Cricket Times |
A Record-Breaking Spell
Rana was simply unplayable, finishing with astonishing
figures of 6 for 21 across his 10 overs, which included two maidens. With this
masterclass, he officially shattered the record for the best-ever bowling
figures by a Bangladeshi bowler in ODI history. His historic spell eclipsed the
previous national record of 6/26, jointly held by icons Mashrafe Mortaza
(against Kenya in 2006) and Rubel Hossain (against New Zealand in 2013).
Dismantling Zimbabwe
Coming into the attack, Rana produced a devastating burst
that triggered a catastrophic collapse for Zimbabwe. He ruthlessly exploited
the conditions, taking out key middle-order threats including Sikandar Raza,
Wessly Madhevere, and Clive Madande. Zimbabwe had no answers for his extra
bounce and sharp movement, collapsing from a stable position to a dismal 70/8.
Though the lower order attempted a brief resistance, Rana returned to break a
frustrating ninth-wicket partnership, bundling the hosts out for a meager 141
runs.
A Golden Year Continues
This extraordinary performance marks Rana’s third ODI five-wicket haul in 2026 alone, cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting young fast-bowling talents in world cricket. His ability to consistently clock high speeds while maintaining impeccable control has transformed Bangladesh's pace attack.
