‘One of the Big Bash teams should definitely pick Nahid Rana'

Former Bangladesh fast-bowling coach Shaun Tait left the Tigers after the Pakistan Test series to spend more time with his family, but he has continued to follow Bangladesh cricket closely. In the second part of his exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi, the former Australia quick talks about Nahid Rana’s potential Big Bash opportunity, his work with the young pacer, the culture among Bangladesh’s fast bowlers and a possible return to the Tigers in the future. Excerpts follow:

The Daily Star (DS): How has it been since you left Dhaka?

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Shaun Tait (ST): Well, I've spent lots of time with my family. I did a short trip and was the head coach of the Lahore Qalandars for the GSL (Global Super League). So, I went and did that. That's the only work I've done cricket-wise.

Apart from that, I've just been home with my family, which was the reason why I left Bangladesh -- to spend more time at home, to be honest. So, I've been doing that.

DS: If Nahid Rana had played the Test series in Australia, what do you think would have been the reaction there?

ST: The Australian public would have loved him. They love fast bowlers. I think maybe Nahid Rana will get a chance to play in the Big Bash or something. I think the Australian public will get to see him during the Big Bash, maybe.

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DS: Would you be working in the Big Bash as well?

ST: Oh, I don't know. I'm not sure yet. But one of the teams should definitely pick Nahid Rana.

DS: Rana was swinging the old ball in the Dhaka Test against Pakistan on your last assignment with Bangladesh. What did you work on with Rana?

ST: No, I didn't have anything to do with him moving the old ball. Nahid Rana and I just had a good relationship, and we kept it really simple. I just tried to create an environment where he could enjoy himself and be free. He needs a bit of freedom because he's a fast bowler, and to be honest, we just tried to work on bowling in good areas.

He's got the pace and the skills, and he didn't need me to change anything. I just tried to give him a good environment to work in; that was all. I think by keeping it simple for him, he enjoyed that. What I did work on with him was more white-ball cricket. I worked on his death bowling, things like yorkers. The red ball was obviously worked on, but it was really simple stuff.

DS: You came in after Otis Gibson and Allan Donald as Bangladesh pace-bowling coach, so in regards to the environment, what did you see that you could work on, and was the culture and environment there for pacers to thrive?

ST: I think Allan Donald did a fantastic job, by the sound of it. The players really enjoyed Allan Donald. He did a really good job for a couple of years; he set it up. Every coach is a little bit different. I'm different from Allan Donald, I'm different from Otis Gibson, I'm different from Andre Adams.

Everyone is a little bit different. But my biggest thing was just trying to create that connection with the fast bowlers -- a really strong relationship. I just wanted them to really enjoy their time with me. If they enjoyed spending time with me in the nets, or going out for dinner, or during the match, then I knew they were going to perform, and they did.

DS: Do you have any plans to someday return to Bangladesh cricket?

ST: Yeah, I do. I would like to, definitely in some capacity. Look, who knows, maybe myself and Allan Donald can come together and do different roles (laughs).