Taskin Ahmed Eyes Competitive Cricket Comeback Through BPL: Reports

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed who has been out of international cricket since suffering a shoulder tear since last year’s World Cup is eyeing a comeback to competitive cricket through the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024.

The tentative dates for BPL 2024 are between January to March 2024. The league which will be played from January 19 to March 1are clashing with five other T20 cricket leagues being played across the globe.

After missing out on the World Cup, Taskin Ahmed was sent to a rehabilitation program to regain full fitness and start competitive cricket again. He thus missed the Test series at home and also missed out on Bangladesh’s tour to New Zealand soon after. He spoke to the press reporters after his training session at the BCB academy premises on Tuesday.

“By the grace of Allah, I am better than before. I had a problem in my shoulder but now I am better and I am looking to start with the BPL and hoping to start the new year well,” he told reporters.

“I bowled with a full run-up and this is the fifth session I am bowling and I am feeling better than before. The BPL is still two weeks away and if everything goes according to plan, I am hoping to make a comeback with it (BPL),” added Taskin who will be playing for Durdanto Dhaka in the BPL.

Taskin Ahmed To Play For Durdanto Dhaka In BPL 2024

Taskin praised the Bangladesh pacers for doing well in the helpful conditions in New Zealand. The Tigers notched up their maiden ODI and T20I wins in New Zealand with Shoriful Islam playing a big part in both of them. He was adjudged the Player Of The Series for picking up six wickets from three matches in the three-match T20I series.

“It was a pleasure to see pacers doing well in New Zealand, everyone bowled so well and it was a huge relief. At the end of the day we won in New Zealand on the back of pacers’ performance and it’s a something to cherish,” Taskin said.

“I really missed being part of the win. I always like bowling in New Zealand because you get good seam movement. But at the end of the day, it is our team and we are all one and in the coming days Bangladesh’s pace department will surely contribute to more wins,” he further added.

The premier Bangladesh pacer also shared disappointment on being not given the NOC by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over participating in IPL 2024. As per reports it was earlier reported that the board would deny him ging the NOC for national committments. His fellow Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was picked up by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 auction for 2 crores.

“When the offer comes, the board doesn’t want to release me for different reasons; sometimes we have games and sometimes it’s because of my health. I have spoken with the board and they told me that they will consider (my case to play in different franchise leagues). But certainly, I don’t feel good missing these franchise leagues because everyone wants to play and so do I” said a dejected Taskin.

With the IPL 2024 scheduled to be held between March and May 2024, it clashes with Bangladesh’s international roster. Bangladesh are scheduled to host Sri Lanka in March for two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is. In April and May, Bangladesh are scheduled to host Zimbabwe for two Tests along with five T20Is.

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