Dhaka, Aug 10 (NationPress) Fast bowler Nahid Rana has made a significant impression during the latest fitness assessments for the Bangladesh cricket team, while a number of his teammates faced challenges in meeting the required benchmarks. The ongoing fitness camp is crucial as players prepare for the upcoming skill training in a three-match T20I series against the Netherlands, followed by their journey to the UAE for the Asia Cup.

A report from Cricbuzz revealed that the traditional Yo-Yo and beep tests have been replaced by the 1600-meter run and 40-meter sprint under the guidance of new strength and conditioning coach Nathan Keily. Bangladesh recently triumphed in a T20I series against Pakistan with a 2-1 victory and will head to Sylhet for a skills camp starting August 20.

Notably, six players from the 25-member preliminary squad, including T20I captain Liton Kumar Das and Towhid Hridoy, missed the fitness tests, while four others - Nurul Hasan Sohan, Saif Hasan, Afif Hossain, and Mahidul Islam Ankon - are currently on the ‘A’ team tour in Australia.

According to the report, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, along with Tanvir Islam and Shamim Patowary, took nearly eight minutes to finish the 1600-meter run. In contrast, Rana excelled among the 22 cricketers participating in the fitness test, completing the 1600-meter run in an impressive 5 minutes and 31 seconds.

“Rana was just outstanding. A few others also did well, but there were several cricketers who did not meet our expectations,” a member of the team management commented in the report on Sunday.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz came in second during the first batch of the 1600-meter run with a time of 6 minutes and 1 second, while Mushfiqur Rahim, who has retired from ODIs and T20Is, completed the test in 6 minutes and 10 seconds for third place.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib recorded a time of 5 minutes and 53 seconds in the second group of 15 cricketers, followed by Shahadat Hossain Dipu at 6 minutes, and Parvez Hossain Emon with a time of 6 minutes and 13 seconds.