Bishop warns Tigers against mismanaging pace sensation Nahid Rana

West Indies fast bowling great Ian Bishop has cautioned Bangladesh against mismanaging their prized pace asset Nahid Rana in the pursuit of short-term results, urging the team's medical staff to carefully preserve the potential superstar of the world game.

"Don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg because you want immediate success," Bishop, who is currently commentating on the ongoing Bangladesh-West Indies series, told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Bishop, whose own glittering career was frequently interrupted and eventually cut short by severe stress fractures, stressed the critical need for proper strength and conditioning for the 24-year-old pace sensation.

Rana, who has already turned heads globally by frequently clocking speeds north of 150 kmph, missed out on an opportunity to play in the two-Test series in Australia due to injury, which left the renowned commentator disappointed.

"When you look around the world and see young fast bowlers coming through, Nahid is probably as fast, if not faster, than most," Bishop said. "I was salivating at the prospect of seeing him in Australia on bouncier pitches. So I was disappointed when that happened. But his health is the most important thing. Once that is regained, don't rush him back into international cricket because fast bowling is strenuous on the body."

To ensure Rana's longevity, Bishop pointed to the Australian blueprint of managing premium fast bowlers, emphasising the role of head coach Phil Simmons and the medical staff to bulletproof the bowler with proper strength work.

While Rana represents the ceiling of Bangladesh's current pace revolution, Bishop is equally impressed by the depth of the Tigers' modern pace battery, highlighted by an aggressive slip cordon during Day 2 of the ongoing first Test.

"We did a recording today of a slip cordon when Hasan Mahmud was bowling -- three slips and a gully. That's something you would have associated with, let's say, Australia or the old-time West Indies. Now we're seeing from Bangladesh," Bishop observed.

Bishop also praised Hasan Mahmud for his elite control, wonderful wobble seam, and red-ball revitalisation, while expressing excitement for the day when Taskin Ahmed, Hasan, and Nahid Rana can take the field together.