For the past month, Bangladesh has been on a determined mission to upend a long-standing trend where left-arm spinners dominated their bowling attack. This shift is being spearheaded by two promising young fast bowlers, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana.

These towering quicks have garnered attention following their remarkable performance against Pakistan. However, India presents a more formidable challenge, even for seasoned players. On the first day of the Test against India at Chepauk, Mahmud (4/58) and Rana (1/80) lived up to the buzz in contrasting styles.

Hasan Mahmud, known for his lively pace, relies heavily on his superb seam position and variety of deliveries to make an impact. On the other hand, Nahid Rana employs sheer raw pace to unsettle batsmen, aiming to break their concentration. Their differing approaches were evident during their spells on the opening day.

Mahmud’s four-wicket haul was particularly noteworthy, as he dismissed high-profile Indian batsmen Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant – a feat that remains aspirational for many experienced bowlers. Rana, while less successful in terms of wickets, managed to trouble the Indian batsmen with his speed. He notably delivered a 148 km/h delivery that forced Yashasvi Jaiswal to edge the ball to the slip cordon.

This transformation in Bangladesh’s cricket strategy is far from accidental. According to Alamgir Kabir, a former Bangladesh pacer and mentor to both Mahmud and Rana, it is a carefully orchestrated plan. “We’ve been searching for genuine fast bowlers for some time now. While our spinners have done excellent work for our country, having world-class fast bowlers is essential for global success,” Kabir explained. He emphasized the importance of a robust grassroots system in fostering new talent.

Bangladesh’s grassroots cricket involves identifying and nurturing talent from local tape-ball and tennis-ball cricket scenes. Kabir himself discovered Nahid Rana playing tape-ball cricket and brought him to his academy for specialized training. “It’s like polishing a diamond,” Kabir said, highlighting the potential within these raw talents.

Former India batter Sridharan Sriram, who has coached Bangladesh, offered a note of caution. “They are talented, no doubt. But sustaining this journey and growing into their roles will be the real challenge,” he stated, underscoring the need for ongoing support and guidance.

Sriram was impressed with Mahmud’s performance but pointed out that maintaining consistency is key. “He showed good acumen to exploit favorable conditions in the morning. This Bangladesh team is a good mix of youth and experience,” Sriram noted.

Despite recent unrest in Bangladesh, these young players remained focused on their cricket. Kabir recounted how they continued to play in Pakistan amid concerns back home, demonstrating maturity by focusing on the game and seeking updates post-match. Their 2-0 series win over Pakistan is a testament to their resilience.

Bangladesh’s pace bowling renaissance has also benefited from the mentorship of renowned international coaches like South African great Allan Donald and former West Indian pacer Otis Gibson. Their insights have significantly broadened the understanding of pace bowling among Bangladesh’s upcoming talents.

Kabir sees this new generation as a continuation of a legacy started by Mashrafe Mortaza and followed by Taskin Ahmed. Now, with players like Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain joining the ranks, Bangladesh’s bowling unit is poised for greater achievements.

Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha highlighted the psychological edge fast bowlers bring. “When a bowler can reach speeds of 150 kph, it naturally instills fear in the opposition due to reduced reaction times,” he explained.

The wheels of change are firmly in motion for Bangladesh cricket. Ensuring that this momentum continues will be crucial for their sustained success on the international stage.