The workload management of Nahid Rana, Bangladesh's fastest bowler, will be key in the coming days to keep the 22-year-old away from burnout and injuries, experts have said.  

"He is an asset for us. So, we need to look after him. It's not possible to produce such a pace bowler. You need luck to have someone like him. He got the height and the pace, something you won't get every day," former national selector Habibul Bashar told The Daily Star today.

"I think he is quite mature. Initially, he bowled too many short balls but has quickly adapted with his length…I think the work management will be key for Nahid." 

Nahid's latest success saw him claim his maiden five-wicket haul on Monday, the third day of the second Test against the West Indies in Jamaica. The right-arm pacer had come close to the feat against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in August when he took 4-44, a match-winning effort, in the second innings of the second Test and his 5-61 which rattled the Windies batting lineup yesterday could potentially turn out to be pivotal in favour of the Tigers.

Since making his international debut in March this year, Nahid grabbed worldwide attention through his sheer pace and is maturing with each passing day. 

Eight months into his international career, Nahid has made significant strides, setting his own benchmarks, consistently registering speeds of 150 kmph, having come from a country where express pacers are a rarity.

"He looked different from other bowlers at that time," Habibul, who spotted Nahid during a first-class match in Rajshahi a few years ago said.

"Unfortunately, he got injured and was out of cricket for a year. I wouldn't say he is different, he is special. He struggled during his early days due to injury. But as we know that he's a special kid, we keep him in the loop."

Nahid's childhood coach Alamgir Kabir, a former national pacer, expressed his satisfaction with the way the team management has been dealing with Nahid's workload. 

Bangladesh are playing their 10th Test since Nahid made his debut in the format against Sri Lanka in Sylhet and has featured in six of those matches, having been rested in the other four. Despite being part of Bangladesh's recent ODI squad against Afghanistan in the UAE, he played only the series-decider which was also his debut in the white-ball format for the Tigers.

"What I can feel from here after seeing him is that he is in better shape. He is fearless from the beginning and he looks hungrier than before. I think it's important to have courage whether you are playing Tests or any other format. You can see on his face that he will do well. I think the initial fear factor is gone," Alamgir told The Daily Star on Tuesday.

However, Alamgir pointed out that adding variations and working more on accuracy will allow Nahid to become a mainstay for the Tigers across all three formats.
 
 "He is trying to add more variations to his bowling. In the NCL [National Cricket League], he can do whatever he likes to do. He is trying similar things in international games which is really good. What I think he needs to do more is be more accurate. It is important when you are going for bouncers, yorkers, slowers, off-cutters or cross-seam deliveries. He is doing well but he has a lot of options to do better," he said.

"He has the hunger. He told me he would play in all three formats. He has already played one ODI. I hoped that he would do well but I didn't expect him to do this well. He has played against Afghanistan but when he plays against the big teams, we can judge whether he has the mettle to go further.

"Those who bowl this fast have always injury issues. I think if the board gives him rest in between matches, they can get his service for a long time. I think the board is doing well in managing his workload."