Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful believes rising fast bowler Nahid Rana has the ability to surpass Shoaib Akhtar’s long-standing record for the fastest delivery in international cricket.
Akhtar was speaking at a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel on Tuesday, where discussion moved beyond the Bangladesh Premier League to memories from his playing career. When asked who could break his pace record, the former Pakistan quick named Taskin Ahmed.
The remark quickly spread across social media, though many felt Nahid Rana was the more realistic contender. Rana is widely considered quicker than Taskin and, thanks to his height, is also able to generate extra bounce.
Speaking after the Victory Day friendly match at Mirpur, Ashraful — now Bangladesh’s specialist batting coach — offered a different view. “If it happens, Alhamdulillah, that would be great,” he told Ajker Patrika. “At the moment, we have seven or eight fast bowlers who can bowl at more than 145 kilometres per hour. I honestly believe Nahid Rana could be the one to break Shoaib Akhtar’s 163-kilometres-per-hour record.”
The Victory Day exhibition match earlier in the day saw Shaheed Jewel XI take on Shaheed Mushtaq XI at Mirpur. Players such as Abdur Razzak, Javed Omar Belim and Shahriar Nafees represented Jewel XI, while Ashraful played for Mushtaq XI alongside Mohammad Rafique, Hasibul Hossain Shanto and Tushar Imran.
Batting first in the 15-over contest, Mushtaq XI posted 138 runs and went on to secure a 38-run victory. Jewel XI were restricted to 100 for four, with Rafique, Shanto, Ashraful and Imran claiming a wicket apiece. The match doubled as a reunion of former internationals, with Rafique attending alongside his grandson and Ashraful bowling in front of his son.
Akhtar’s record delivery, clocked at 161.3 kph, was bowled during the 2003 ODI World Cup in Cape Town, when England’s Nick Knight managed to steer the ball away towards square leg. The mark remains the fastest recorded delivery in international cricket and has stood for 22 years.
Akhtar will work as a consultant for Dhaka Capitals in this season’s Bangladesh Premier League, where he is set to mentor fast bowlers including Taskin Ahmed and Maruf Mridha.
