Rana produced a career-best performance with five wickets, troubling the Pakistan batters with pace, bounce and swing. Supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s spin, Bangladesh bowled Pakistan out for just 114 before chasing the target comfortably.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson admitted after the match that Rana’s destructive bowling played a decisive role in the defeat.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, he said the pitch was good for batting but the Bangladesh pacer changed the course of the game.
“The wicket was actually behaving well. We were progressing nicely until Nahid Rana came on, but after that the entire scenario of the match changed,” Hesson said, praising the bowler’s pace and bounce.
Hesson also acknowledged that not only the young batters but even experienced players struggled against Rana’s aggressive spell. According to him, the pacer’s accuracy and attacking mindset made the difference.
Having previously heard praise for Rana from former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis during the Bangladesh Premier League, Hesson said he was impressed watching him bowl live for the first time.
Despite the disappointing batting display, Hesson expressed hope that Pakistan would bounce back in the remaining matches of the series.
