‘Don’t go below 150kmph’: Waqar’s need for speed from Nahid

Nahid Rana does not speak much in public.

On Saturday, after dismantling Dhaka Capitals with a breathtaking spell of 3 for 11, the Rangpur Riders speedster walked into the press conference with a singular, quiet focus: creating enough impact to win. To Rana, the rest is just noise.

While he remains guarded when probed about his fast-bowling psyche, Rana’s demeanour shifts entirely when discussing the nitty-gritty of the craft. On those topics, he speaks with the enthusiasm of a classroom topper. Following his media duties, the 23-year-old entered a literal masterclass with one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time: Waqar Younis.

Already established as one of the fastest bowlers on the planet, Rana was eager to absorb wisdom from the legendary former Pakistan captain.

Waqar, now a commentator, had been captivated by Rana’s fiery display and invited the young Bangladeshi into the commentary box for a heart-to-heart.

“Are you enjoying it?” Waqar asked. Rana responded with a silent, smiling nod.

“If you enjoy it, that is the most important thing. You enjoy it, bowl fast. That’s all that matters,” Waqar added.

Rana explained his stoic mindset: “I am just trying to play and create impact, that’s all. I don’t think about anything else. Whatever will come, will come within my riziq (destiny).”

“This is the best way of thinking about cricket,” Waqar replied.

“Whatever is written on the forehead, no one can take away from you. You have pace. Never slow down. Stay fit. When you bowl fast, how is your body feeling, how are your lungs reacting—learn about these things.”

The 54-year-old Pakistani great remains a purist regarding velocity. Throughout the conversation, he issued a stern warning against the temptation to trade speed for safety, repeatedly stressing the "magical" 150kmph mark.

“You have pace. You are 150kmph. People will fear you; they won’t step out and play you,” Waqar insisted.

“Don’t lose that. If you lose it and start bowling 135, then you are a medium pacer. Don’t change anything. You will eventually learn how to do certain things, but don’t listen to everyone. My action and your action are different. You don’t change what works for you. Never lose the originality.”

When Waqar asked about his natural movement, Rana replied: “Outswing.”

“That is your strength. Never lose that,” Waqar responded.

“People will tell you to change things. Please don’t fix anything. He has come this far with what he has. Let him learn in his own way. Why am I telling you this? Because it happened to me. My captain was Imran Khan. He used to give me the ball and tell me, ‘If one ball is below 150, I am not letting you go.’ I had injuries because of that, but it was okay. You will come back. But don’t go below 150. Be brave and bowl fast.”

Rana also cleared the air regarding his influences, specifically his childhood coach, Alamgir Kabir. “Many people told me many things. But I listen to only one person. He has known me since my childhood. If something happens to me, I go and talk to him,” Rana said.

The pacer also shared how he improved his accuracy without sacrificing his signature "fire."

“I didn’t have control early on. Everyone was telling me to slow down a bit and bring control. I didn’t listen to anyone,” he revealed.

Waqar echoed this sentiment, warning against the dangers of "over-coaching" that often plagues young talents. “Bowl quick. Everything else will come. People tell you to do so many things and suddenly you are a medium pacer. Who made him a medium pacer? He was fine earlier. Don’t teach him too much. He will learn by himself. You keep bowling—repetition will bring skill.”

Offering a final piece of technical advice on using the crease, Waqar concluded: “That’s why I don’t coach—I motivate. In coaching, I say only one thing: there is a box, use it. Bowl from the middle, wide, and close to the umpire. Watch your own videos. See how the ball behaves when you do certain things. But never reduce your pace.”

The great man’s final word was a definitive summary: the speed is the soul, and for Nahid Rana, 150kmph is the non-negotiable floor.