Nahid Rana Breaks Mashrafe and Rubel ODI Record

Bangladesh’s emerging pace sensation Nahid Rana has etched his name into the record books, surpassing former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and ex-fast bowler Rubel Hossain to claim the best bowling figures in the country’s One Day International history.

The milestone came on Sunday at the Harare Sports Club, where Bangladesh faced Zimbabwe in the opening match of their three-match ODI series. It turned into a one-sided affair as the hosts were dismantled for just 141 runs in 36.4 overs, undone largely by Rana’s relentless pace and control.

Rana delivered a spell of genuine quality, finishing with 6 wickets for just 21 runs in his full quota of 10 overs. His performance not only ripped through Zimbabwe’s batting order but also sealed a new national benchmark for Bangladesh in ODI cricket.

Before this match, the record for the best ODI bowling figures by a Bangladeshi player was jointly held by two senior pacers. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza set the standard back in 2006 against Kenya, when he took 6 wickets for 26 runs in 10 overs. Years later, in 2013, Rubel Hossain matched the feat with 6 for 26 against New Zealand, delivering one of his most memorable spells.

Rana’s achievement now stands ahead of both, with superior economy and fewer runs conceded, making it the most effective six-wicket haul in Bangladesh’s ODI history. What made the spell even more striking was the control he maintained throughout, consistently hitting challenging lengths and forcing errors from the Zimbabwean top and middle order.

Zimbabwe never found stability in their innings. Early breakthroughs set the tone, and Rana’s sustained pressure ensured there was no recovery. Wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving the hosts unable to build partnerships or accelerate at any stage of the innings.

The performance is also a significant moment in Bangladesh’s ongoing search for a consistent fast-bowling attack. While the country has historically relied on spin, Rana’s rise adds renewed optimism about the pace unit’s future, especially in overseas conditions where seam bowling becomes crucial.

For a young bowler still early in his international career, this record-breaking display will be remembered as a defining moment—one that not only rewrites history but also signals the arrival of a new pace leader in Bangladesh cricket.