SL vs BAN: Taskin Ahmed’s availability for BAN vs SL clash hinges on final bowling session

A big update came from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the availability of star pacer Taskin Ahmed for Bangladesh’s opening clash against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) included Taskin in their squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 despite his ongoing recovery from a rib fracture he suffered during the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe.

This injury had already sidelined him from the three-match T20I series against the USA and the warm-up game against India on June 1 in New York. The Bangladesh cricket team would badly need Taskin in the playing XI for their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Sri Lanka, especially because of Shoriful Islam's unavailability due to an injury.

Bangladesh awaits Taskin Ahmed’s fitness result ahead of their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Sri Lanka

Notably, Shoriful sustained six stitches in his left hand after he was injured during the warm-up match against India, and it ruled him out of their opening game in the mega ICC event. However, the BCB and Bangladesh team remain optimistic about Taskin’s full recovery before their opening match in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Sri Lanka on June 7 in Dallas.

However, they will make the final decision after his bowling session on June 5. Taskin resumed bowling on June 1 and was scheduled for an outdoor session on June 3. However, due to heavy rain, the practice venue was shifted from Grand Prairie to Mustang Cricket Academy's indoor facilities.

During this indoor training session, the Bangladesh pacer bowled three overs with increased intensity compared to his previous session. After this training session, the Bangladesh team’s physio, Bayjedul Islam Bayezid, revealed that Taskin's final assessment will be based on his performance in his final session on June 5.

Bayjedul Islam Bayezid was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, “Taskin so far, the way he progressed, Alhamdulillah. He progressed really well. We have made some day-to-day plans for him. He bowled on the 1st and today on the 3rd and we are happy that he is in a better position.”

The BCB physio further revealed that Taskin appears to be in good shape, and they are precisely analyzing each of his sessions with a GPS meter that allows them to monitor his effort levels and track his progress in detail.

BCB to make a final call on Taskin Ahmed’s inclusion on June 5

Islam Bayezid stressed that if they notice any fluctuations, they address them promptly, but his progress has been promising so far, and even he exerted himself more than before in his second session. He said that they are expecting him to increase his effort further in the next session and hope he will be fit to play against Sri Lanka on June 7.

Islam Bayezid stated: “Taskin has a good chance (for the first match) and that is the reason he is in the World Cup squad usually these kinds of injuries take four weeks to heal and at times it can get a bit late but his progress is good. Before the opening game against Sri Lanka, he will have another bowling session on the 5th and if we can do that outdoors it is very good and he is expected to bowl with full run-up and intensity.

And after seeing that session we can clearly say whether he is available or not. It will totally depend on how he is bowling on the 5th and only after seeing that decision will be made but to date he has no complaints and based on that we hope that he will be better on the 5th and later we can say where he stands. We are hopeful that he will be hundred percent by seventh.”