Bangladesh Cricket star Nihad Rana continued his monumental rise and continued to prove himself as arguably the best young pacer in world cricket after taking the first six-for of his ODI career in the series opener against Zimbabwe on Monday (July 6) at the Harare Sports Club. The express pacer completed his full quota of 10 overs and took six wickets while giving away just 21 runs as the home team was bowled out for a paltry total of 141.
Rana took the third five-wicket haul of his career after coming on as a first-change bowler. The 23-year-old dismissed Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Makande, and Brad Evans.
Nihad Rana Creates History
Rana set a new world record for the best bowling figures by a bowler in an ODI on Zimbabwean soil against the home team. He broke a record that was held by former West Indies pacer Fidel Edwards for 23 years.
Best Bowling Figures In ODIS In Zimbabwe Against Zimbabwe
| player | Figures | team | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Nihad Rana | 6-21 | Bangladesh | Zimbabwe | Harare | 2026 |
| Fidel Edwards | 6-22 | West Indies | Zimbabwe | Harare | 2003 |
| Yasir Shah | 6-26 | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | Harare | 2015 |
| Ajantha Mendis | 6-29 | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe | Harare | 2008 |
| Joshua Little | 6-36 | Ireland | Zimbabwe | Harare | 2023 |
| Amit Mishra | 6-48 | India | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 2013 |
Overall, these are the second-best figures in an ODI on Zimbabwean soil behind Shane Bond’s 6-19 vs. India in 2005 at the Bulawayo. Rana’s figures are the best by any bowler at the iconic Harare Sports Club.
Meanwhile, these are the third-best figures in ODI cricket against Zimbabwe, only behind Sri Lanka pair Chaminda Vaas (8-19 in 2001 at Colombo’s SSC Stadium) and Wanindu Hasaranga (7-19 in 2024 at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo).
Nihad Rana Sets All-Time Bangladesh Record
Meanwhile, Rana also went past former Tigers captain Mashrafe Mortaza and registered the best bowling figures in an ODI by a Bangladesh bowler. The 23-year-old broke a record, a record that stood for two decades.
Best Bowling Figures By A Bangladesh Bowler In ODIs
| player | Figures | Opponent | Ground | Year |
| Nahid Rana | 6-21 | Zimbabwe | Harare | 2026 |
| Mashrafe Mortaza | 6-26 | Kenya | Nairobi | 2006 |
| Rubel Hossain | 6-26 | new zealand | Mirpur | 2013 |
| Rishad Hossain | 6-35 | West Indies | Mirpur | 2025 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 6-43 | India | Mirpur | 2015 |
Rana has played 14 ODIs so far and has 31 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls. Today’s spell was also a career best for him.
