Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expects Nahid Rana and the rest of the pace bowling unit to be fit and raring to go against India on Thursday, their opening match of the Champions Trophy.

Facing the media in Dubai on Wednesday ahead of their opening match, Shanto had to quench the thirst of the reporters – both Bangladeshi and foreign – regarding pace sensation Rana and Bangladesh's evolving fast-bowling unit.

Shanto feels Bangladesh have come a long way from being a spin-dominated attack in recent years, thanks to the emergence of a variety of pacers.

"We always struggled with (against) pace but last couple of years we have got quite a few fast bowlers. We have got Nahid Rana and Takin (Ahmed) –the way they are bowling, I think it helps the team," the Bangladesh captain said, adding that they still have a good spin-bowling unit to complement the pacers.

The 15-member Bangladesh squad features five pacers and there are two travelling reserves with the team, just in case, in the form of Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed. However, most of the focus on the bowling front was on Rana, who can clock upwards of 140kph, even reaching 150kph at times. Shanto said that is good for the whole team's morale.

"Last few matches, he bowled really well and bowled fast. When we see him bowling like that, it motivates us and see how we can give the opposition team a challenge," said the captain.

The Bangladesh skipper, meanwhile, said that the issues that had surfaced about Rana's burn-out have been taken good care of.

"There will obviously be more focus on him. But he's doing his job quietly, training normally. I believe he will give his best if picked tomorrow.

"Obviously he played quite a few matches on the trot in the BPL. But he has been taken good care off by the physio and trainer. So if he gets picked tomorrow, I believe he will be fresh," Shanto concluded.