ZCZC
BSP-24
CRICKET-TASKIN
Taskin’s time to prove his worth
DHAKA, May 6, 2019 (BSS) – Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed repeatedly made it known publically how desperately he wants to be part on Bangladesh team in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.
Even through his own admission, he is ready to take all kind of risks to get himself fit to play the World Cup. So when he was ignored from the Bangladesh’s 15-member World Cup squad, he just could not take it and broke down in tears in front of media.
When it looked like that all his hopes of going to the ICC WC was a foregone conclusion, he was given a lifeline as the selectors included him along with Farhad Reza as they were included in the Bangladesh squad for the tri-nation series in Ireland.
It was not entirely surprising. Given all of the frontline bowlers are yet to recover fully from their respective injury, Taskin was added to the squad as cover.
Taskin himself also started playing competitive cricket after recovering from the ankle injury just some days before the World Cup was announced. The selectors were not pleased with his match fitness and thereby didn’t include him in the World Cup-bound squad.
Now as they included Taskin for the tri-nation series, considering the injury concern of other pacers, it is an opportunity for 24-year old pacer. According to ICC rules, teams can modify their squads before the final deadline on May 23. So Taskin can realistically hope to revive his World Cup dream.
Amid Bangladesh’s 88-run defeat to Ireland Wolves in their only practice game on Sunday, Taskin shined in with 3-66 in 10 overs. Though he was expensive like other pacers in the team, his wicket-taking ability was a positive thing.
There is another thing which could work on his favour is his ability to generate raw pace, a thing that is considered as a big weapon since the wicket for the World Cup matches is predicted to be sporting wicket.
It is not certain whether Taskin can make his way when Bangladesh will take on West Indies to begin their tri-series campaign but it is up to him to make most use of it if he wants to force the selectors to rethink about his case.
“There will be lot of pressures on me to perform in Ireland. I believe I have the ability to handle those pressures and prove myself in the tri-series if I get the chance to play matches,” Taskin said ahead of leaving the country on May 1. “The target is to maintain the line and length and bowl with great speed.”
Taskin sustained an ankle injury during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 in which he claimed 22 wickets from 12 matches to be the second highest wicket-taker.
He has been probably the form of his life in BPL which forced his way back into the national team as Bangladesh announced a team for the series against New Zealand during the halfway through the BPL tournament.
However that unfortunate ankle injury in the last group match of BPL sidelined him for a couple of months and ruined his hope to thrive in New Zealand condition but he is not ready to give up the hopes of playing World up.
“The tri-nation series is a good chance for me to prove my worth. It’s sure I will give 100 percent to revive my World Cup dream,” he said.
BSS/SMP/SMM/1905 hrs