Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop has backed Litton Das to develop into a world-class batter and described Nahid Rana as a potential global superstar, while warning Bangladesh against rushing the young fast bowler back from injury.
Speaking at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday, Bishop praised Litton’s progress in Test cricket, saying the Bangladesh batter had grown into his role over the years.
Bishop acknowledged that Litton’s development in the longer format had exceeded his expectations in white-ball cricket, but believes the wicketkeeper-batter still has plenty to offer.
“Some people mature a little bit later than others,” Bishop said. “So I think he has a lot to offer Bangladesh cricket because from day one, the talent was obvious.”
He added that Litton had the tools to reach the highest level if he continued to develop his game.
“Hopefully in the years to come, we will see him go on to become what I term a world-class batter in the vein of some of the more established ones in the world game,” Bishop said.
Bishop was equally enthusiastic about Rana, whose pace has made him one of Bangladesh’s most exciting fast-bowling prospects. The pacer has missed recent assignments because of injury and is unavailable for the ongoing home Test series against West Indies.
Reflecting on Rana’s absence from Bangladesh’s tour of Australia, Bishop said he had been eager to see the youngster bowl on the country’s bouncier pitches.
“I believe that Nahid is one of the potential superstars of the world game,” Bishop said. “When you look around the world and you see young fast bowlers coming through, Nahid is probably as fast, if not faster than most.”
The former West Indies international stressed that recovery must take priority over an early return, given the physical demands of fast bowling.
“Every team in the world is looking for a Nahid Rana. So keep him fit,” he said.
Bishop also urged Bangladesh to invest in Rana’s strength and conditioning and medical support rather than risk his long-term future for immediate results.
“Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg because you want immediate success,” he said.
Bishop cautioned against crediting Rana alone for the development of Bangladesh’s pace attack. He pointed to Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud as part of a broader effort to build a bowling unit capable of competing in different conditions.
He credited the Bangladesh Cricket Board for trying to shape an attack suited to winning away from home as well as on familiar pitches.
Bishop hopes to see Rana return alongside Taskin and Hasan, believing the young pacer’s speed gives him a particularly high ceiling.
“His potential to be a global superstar is there, whether he realizes that or not only time will tell,” Bishop said.
