Bangladesh’s pace sensation Nahid Rana scripted history at Harare Sports Club on July. In the first ODI of the series against Zimbabwe, Rana claimed a six-wicket haul, breaking the record for best bowling figures for a Bangladesh pacer in the format.
The previous record was held by former captain Mashrafe Mortaza who bagged six wickets for 26 runs against Kenya in 2006. Seven years later, Rubel Hossain took six wickets for 26 runs in 5.5 overs against New Zealand.
All other feats achieved by Rana
Rana now holds the record for best bowling figures by a visiting pacer against Zimbabwe in the format. Rana bowled his full quota of 10 overs including two maidens, conceded 21 runs and claimed six wickets as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 141. The previous record held by West Indies' Fidel Edwards who claimed six wickets for 22 runs against Zimbabwe in 2003.
Rana's six-fer is the third-best bowling figures in ODIs against Zimbabwe. The top spot belongs to Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas with eight wickets for 19 runs in 2001. In 2025, Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga bagged seven wickets for 19 runs against Zimbabwe in Colombo as well.
Rana's 6 for 21 is also the second-best bowling figures by a bowler in ODIs played on Zimbabwe soil. In 2005, New Zealand's Shane Bond took six wickets for 19 runs against India in Bulawayo.
Taskin starts collapse, Rana wreaks havoc
In the series opener, Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to bowl first. After a decent start, openers Ben Curran and Brian Bennett departed in the seventh over. Curran lost his wicket to Taskin Ahmed whereas Bennett got run out. In his next over, Ahmed got Craig Ervine for a golden duck.
Rana's first wicket of the day came in the 14th over with Sikandar Raza's wicket. In the next over, he dismissed Wessly Madhvere. Clive Madande fell to him as well. In the 20th over, Rana struck twice to dismiss Innocent Kaia and Brad Evans.
From 70/8, Newman Nyamhuri and Richard Ngarava helped Zimbabwe recover. They shared a 63-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Rana was brought back into the attack to mop up the tail quickly. He delivered with skipper Ngarava's wicket. He scored 27 runs from 41 balls. Then, Mehidy ended Zimbabwe's innings in the 37th over with Nyamhuri's wicket. He scored 33 runs from 51 balls, the highest scorer for Zimbabwe in the innings.