Peshawar Zalmi New Recruit Opens Up On Learning From BCCI-Snub Mustafizur Rahman

Nahid Rana on Mustafizur Rahman. [Source - AFP/x.com]

Peshawar Zalmi have secured Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana for the upcoming edition of the PSL after acquiring him in the recent PSL 2026 auction. The franchise showed confidence in the 23-year-old speedster as they look to rebuild their pace unit and add fresh energy to their bowling attack for the 11th edition of the tournament.

Nahid Rana was included in the Peshawar Zalmi squad last season but did not get the chance to feature in a match before the tournament disruption. This year presents a fresh opportunity for the young fast bowler to finally make his PSL debut and showcase his pace and potential on a bigger stage.

The Peshawar Zalmi recruit also addressed his equation with fellow Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, whose IPL contract with KKR was terminated just few days after the IPL auction. The development has drawn attention across leagues, adding further interest to their professional bond ahead of PSL 2026.

Nahid Rana Set to Feature in PSL 2026 Alongside Mustafizur Rahman

Nahid Rana is set to represent Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2026, joining fellow Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the tournament. Nahid Rana, an emerging Bangladesh quick, was secured by Peshawar Zalmi for PKR 60 lakh as the franchise continued investing in young pace talent.

Mustafizur Rahman, one of the four Bangladeshi players in PSL 2026, was signed directly by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 6.44 crore ahead of the auction after being released by KKR in January on BCCI's instructions.

The high-speed bowler recently told BDCricTime about his thoughts of playing in PSL and also spoke about Mustafizur’s presence in the league. Nahid Rana highlighted how their paths frequently cross while being around the National camps or in various domestic competitions.

“Whenever we play together, we talk about cricket. Recently, we were discussing how to improve accuracy even more,” Nahid said.

He noted that the experienced left-armer’s exposure in global leagues adds value to their conversations, as both pacers exchange ideas and insights while preparing for an important tournament in PSL 2026.

Also Read: Mustafizur Rahman Returns To IPL Teams' Wishlist Despite BCCI Contract Snub

Nahid Rana Reveals Peshawar Zalmi Contacted Him Before PSL Auction

In a significant revelation, Nahid Rana disclosed that Peshawar Zalmi had approached him even before the PSL 2026 auction officially began. The promising pacer was already on the franchise’s radar, despite not featuring in a single match during his previous stint with the team.

The 2025 edition of the PSL was suspended midway due to regional tensions, and Nahid did not get a chance to play before the break. He also did not return to Pakistan after the tournament resumed. Despite this, Peshawar Zalmi’s early approach this year showed their continued confidence in him.

“Peshawar Zalmi contacted me before the draft. Matches are not in my hands. The only thing I can control is how I perform and how I improve. That’s what I focus on and try to keep doing consistently,” Nahid added.

Nahid Rana’s calm and focused approach, combined with Peshawar Zalmi’s continued faith, sets the stage for a highly anticipated PSL 2026 season for the pacer. With the opportunity to learn alongside experienced pacer Mustafizur Rahman, the young Bangladesh fast bowler aims to make a mark and contribute significantly to Zalmi’s pace attack.

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