Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed was excited to form an effective bowling-pair with new pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman, stating their different bowling style would cause a huge headache for the opponents. The debut of both of the bowlers was almost similar. Both of them stormed into the international circuit having claimed five-for against India in the space of a year. While Taskin hauled five for 28 on his debut against India in June, 2014, a year later at the same month, Mustafizur baffled high profile Indian batting line-up with cunning cutter to claim five for 43.
“He has variation and his cutter was effective what we watched,” said Taskin yesterday on the first day of the practice session for the ODI and T20 series against Zimbabwe. “I rely on bouncer. I believe it would be good to see that one pacer cut through opponents batting line up with cutter while other bounced out the batsmen. It would be enjoyable. I am really excited about our pair.”
Both Taskin and Mustafizur shared the new balls in the series against India in last June. Mustafizur’s five-wicket haul on debut came up after Taskin made a two crucial breakthrough having dismissed dangerman Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. In the second match, Taskin had to be sidelined after bowling just four overs while Mustafizur claimed his career best six for 38 to enter into the record book of taking most wickets in first two international matches.
Taskin missed the rest of the ODI and also missed the series against South Africa thereafter. Both of them are now just 20 and regarded as the future bowling prospect of Bangladesh. “We know we have to prepare ourselves for the future challenges. I believe both me and Mustafizur is ready to take the challenge.”
Zimbabwe are not believed to scare Bangladesh but it would be the series to see how their bowling chemistry would work.
However Taskin wasn’t underestimating the Zimbabwe who would tour Bangladesh on the backdrop of series loss against Afghanistan. “You can’t underestimate any team in the international circuit, whatever it is Australia or Zimbabwe. Moreover in ODI and T20 cricket, nothing is guaranteed. On a given day, anyone can win. So we have to be careful,” he warned.
“They are not that bad side. They might loss Afghanistan but at the same time, that defeat would inspire them to compensate. They would be highly motivated to prove a point. So we have to come up our best.” Taskin, an injury-prone bowler had recently recovered from his side strain to make him fit for the national team. “I know I am somewhat injury-prone. I am trying my best to get my full fitness and avoid the injury by having regular gym and other exercise with the help of our physio.”
Meanwhile, a total of 11 players joined the first day’s practice camp under the supervision of head coach Chandika Haturusingha. Shakib Al Hasan who is now USA to be with his wife, expecting a baby but the ace all-rounder would join the camp within a couple of days. While the six other players- Al-Amin Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman Rumman, Liton Das, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Jubair Hossain Likhon who were with Bangladesh A team in South Africa tour are on the way to home. They are expected to join the practice camp within a couple of days.