Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is one of the architects in making Bangladesh a force to reckon with in the limited overs cricket. But while his performance led team to victory in shorter format, he wasn’t as successful in Test version as ODI or T20 format.
Considered as the fastest bowler of the country at the moment, Taskin however hoped he would break the jinx in the upcoming Sri Lanka series and get the taste of the first Test victory in his career. After Taskin made his debut in longer version cricket, Bangladesh played three Tests and lost all of that without much resistance.
“I am not personally happy with my performance. Unfortunately we lost all of the three Tests in which I played. Hopefully I will go to Sri Lankan with aim to make the stats corrected,” the 21-year fast bowler said yesterday.
After his debut, Taskin had to play in two vastly different conditions—in New Zealand and India. A key to success for every pacer is relied on as to how they cope with the condition, Taskin believed, saying, he wants to prepare him fit for all conditions in all format of the cricket.
“I have made several mistakes in the last two series I played. I am now sorting out my mistakes and working with the coaches to correct those. Hopefully before the series, I’ll be in good shape and can contribute much for the team.”
Taskin has so far played 23 ODIs in which he had an 11-11 win-loss ratio with one match being abandoned. In 14 T20s too, he had the identical win-loss ratio of 6-6 with two matches being called off.
He was not initially considered as the bowler for longer version format because of his injury-prone nature. However the lanky fast bowler worked hard in the gym to convince the selectors that he could be a bowler for this format.
“I am quite happy with the way I am operating. I have bowled 30-35 overs in a Test. It proved I am fit for the Test cricket. There is hardly any fast bowler in the world without niggles. And I have also some but we have got world class coaching staffs who have been working intensely with us to keep us fit.”
With Mustafizur coming back into the Test side, competition grew amongst the fast bowlers. Bangladesh has lately got five fast bowlers in the squad who all can challenge each other to be fit in the best XI.
Taskin has no complain about the competition rather he thought the healthy competition would help him to give his best.
“There will be competition in the squad and that is good for all. I am not thinking about it at all. I am just thinking to increase the level of my fitness and show good performance.”
Taskin said he missed Mashrafe Bin Mortaza in the Test squad as he believes if Mashrafe is there the fast bowlers would get a guardian to guide them.