Taskin Ahmed named in Test squad after long absence
Bangladesh on Thursday announced the 15-member squad that will take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test, and Taskin Ahmed’s name has been being included after nearly two years. The pace bowler had a series of injuries and faced poor form but recent domestic performances have earned him his place back.
Bangladesh is set to face Afghanistan in a solitary Test match beginning from September the fifth at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram and BCB announced the squad for the same on Thursday. The match will only be Afghanistan’s third Test in their history and their first against the Tigers, while the hosts will be looking to be match-fit ahead of their World Test Championships’ opener against neighbours India.
The announcement saw 24-year-old right-arm fast bowler Taskin Ahmed regain his face in the team after a tough couple of years. The second fastest bowler in the country’s history, Ahmed has four Test caps to his name with the last of those coming in September 2017. He has a dismal average of 80+, having only picked up a total of seven wickets.
Since then, he has had to face a series of injuries that have kept him on the sidelines for a long period of time, accompanied with a poor stretch of form. However, a resurgence in the domestic circuit combined with Mustafizur Rahman’s back injury sees him getting an opportunity to prove his mettle in the international arena.
"Mustafizur is slightly injured. We heard that during the conditioning camp. He was assessed yesterday. Because we have more Test matches ahead in the upcoming Test Championship and some T20 series and this is just one-off Test so we don't want to take any risk. He has pain in back. We did MRI but the report is still not in our hand," Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin said, reported Cricbuzz.
"Taskin had originally been picked for Bangladesh's last Test assignment, against New Zealand in February-March this year, but an ankle injury ruled him out of the series. He has since roared back into contention following an impressive show in Dr. K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament in Bengaluru, where he picked up seven wickets in the last two four-day games after bowling 73 overs in a demonstration of his improved fitness,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tamim Iqba and Khaled Ahmed continue to miss out which has led to middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain also being included in the squad.
"We included an additional batsman because we had that plan. We usually take 14 players when we play at home. But because we don't have so many games at domestic level we have included one extra player. Because the weather condition is not so good any player could get injured anytime. So if the additional player remains with the team, he will be ready for any moment," Minhajul concluded.
