Shoaib Akhtar is ready to share his hard-earned wisdom with the next generation of Bangladeshi fast bowlers as he begins his first-ever stint in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The former Pakistan speedster has joined Dhaka Capitals as a mentor, marking his debut in the league and his first role as support staff in the global T20 franchise circuit.
Akhtar, who last played competitive cricket in 2011, arrived in Dhaka with enthusiasm and a clear sense of purpose. Speaking on Monday, the legendary pacer expressed excitement about being part of the BPL and contributing to Bangladesh cricket in a meaningful way.
“I’ve never been part of the BPL before, but I’ve heard that it’s doing great,” Akhtar said. “Finally, I had the opportunity to come here and be a part of it. I want to pass on whatever I’ve learned, especially about fast bowling—motivate the players, give them a few tricks to win matches, and elevate their mindset.”
Known as one of the fastest bowlers the game has ever seen, Akhtar emphasized that his role will go beyond technical advice. For him, confidence and mentality are just as crucial as pace and skill.
“My job will be to give confidence, teach how to win matches and, through Dhaka Capitals, reconnect with the Bangladeshis—one of the most beautiful nations in the world,” he added.
Akhtar was full of praise for Bangladesh’s emerging pace battery, which has made significant strides in recent years. He believes the country’s fast bowlers are developing as a unit and have the potential to compete at the highest level on the global stage.
“I want Taskin Ahmed to break my speed record,” Akhtar said with a smile. “The pace battery you’re talking about is looking good. I really hope they make it far in the T20 World Cup.”
The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, set to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka early next year, is firmly on Akhtar’s mind. With Bangladesh not scheduled to play any more T20 internationals this year, the BPL will be the primary competitive platform for players to prepare.
Akhtar also reserved special praise for Bangladesh’s national bowling coach Shaun Tait, a former Australian speedster who once rivaled him for sheer pace.
“Shaun Tait is one of the best coaches you can have when it comes to fast bowling,” Akhtar said. “You don’t need me after Shaun Tait. He’s fantastic—one of the most honest people you can work with. I really believe you’re going to keep progressing under him.”
Among the bowlers Akhtar is keen to guide is Nahid Rana, officially the fastest bowler in Bangladesh’s history. Akhtar offered detailed advice focused on physical conditioning and workload management.
“The advice for Nahid Rana is to keep your training level up when it comes to muscle mass,” he explained. “Fast bowling is all about taking stress on the body. The body can only take stress if you have muscles—lean muscles, high-repetition training. Keep the pace up and keep the attitude right up on the ninth sky.”
Akhtar pointed out that he already sees promising signs in both Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana, noting their focus, sharpness, and work ethic. However, he stressed that long-term success depends on consistency and mental strength.
“If he keeps going with great training sessions and trains properly, I’ll give him advice whenever I see him,” Akhtar said. “I’ll tell him the trades and secrets of training. If he gets that, he can go far. But the most important thing is attitude—towards life and the game. That always reflects on the field.”
Looking ahead, Akhtar made it clear that he wants Bangladesh to emerge as a genuine contender at the T20 World Cup. His belief in the team’s potential was unmistakable.
“I hope Bangladesh become a force in the coming World Cup,” he said. “This is one of the most exciting national teams. I really hope they go far—or somehow climb the ladder and win the World Cup.”
For Bangladesh’s fast bowlers, having one of cricket’s greatest speed icons in their corner during the BPL could prove invaluable—not just for bowling faster, but for learning how to think, train, and compete like winners.
