Bangladesh left-arm spinner Nahida Akter said the way former captain turned national selector Salma Khatun guided her career “is beyond words.”
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has recently appointed Salma as the country’s first woman selector.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. “When I broke into the national team, I played under Salma Khatun, a legend of Bangladesh cricket,” Nahida told ESPNcricinfo in Guwahati.
“Watching her up close only deepened my love for the game. The growth of Bangladesh women’s cricket owes a lot to her, and I feel fortunate to have started my journey under her leadership.
“The way she guided me is beyond words. My mother, father and brother were at home, but on the field, Salma looked after me like family. She made sure I stayed on the right path, and even today, if I make a mistake, she corrects me and helps me learn from it.”
Now, Nahida is performing those same roles herself. Ahead of Bangladesh’s second match of the Women’s World Cup, against England, she was guiding fellow left-arm spinner Sanjida Akter Meghla through her routines and advising legspinners Shorna Akter and Rabeya Khan on bowling grips and the right areas to target. “It’s been a great 10 years,” she said.
Nahida has grown into Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker across formats and now serves as the team’s vice-captain.
Despite her quick rise, her initial years in international cricket were as much about learning as performing. Beyond Salma, she observed how all-rounder Rumana Ahmed trained and played.
“Watching players like Salma apa taught me how to raise my own game and become useful to the team. I was especially inspired by how calm she and Rumana remained, even when the team had conceded a lot of runs. That composure strengthened my own mindset.
“Cricket is a game where one good ball can change everything. You have six balls in an over, if a few don’t go well, there’s no point over-thinking. Focus on bowling that one good delivery. That’s something I learned from them.”
Nahida also looked up to other left-arm spinners, including Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath. “Shakib bhai’s bowling is outstanding but I admire his mindset and aggression. I study Herath to improve my craft.”
“I’ve always admired Glenn Maxwell,” Nahida laughed. “That’s why both my jersey and locket carry the number 32. His fielding is world-class, and watching him play gives me energy. I could have chosen 75, but that’s Shakib bhai’s number. Out of respect, I didn’t take it. No one can take his place. He is one of our legends in Bangladesh cricket.”
“From the senior players, I learned how to adapt to situations, how to change plans according to conditions, which delivery to bowl when, and how to plan against a batter,” Nahida added. “Most of these lessons came directly from Salma di. This is my second World Cup, and my mindset is clear – I’m the team’s lead spinner, and I have to make a bigger impact. It’s a challenge, but not a burden. I want people to say Bangladesh reached this stage because of their bowlers.”
Nahida’s journey has not been without setbacks. Her family faced ridicule for letting a girl play cricket, and she endured taunts even in the secure colony where her father worked in government service. Today, as one of the flag-bearers of Bangladesh women’s cricket, she feels the struggle was worth it.
“If my brother Nazim Ahmed hadn’t been by my side, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. From developing my game to strengthening my mindset, his influence has been immeasurable. My mental resilience and hunger to learn, they all come from him.”
