Taskin Ahmed set to announce shock retirement from Test cricket - Reports

Pacer Taskin Ahmed has requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board to not consider him for Test cricket. Ahmed has been dealing with his pro-long injury and is all set to retire from the red ball format. As per a report by Cricbuzz, Taskin has already sent a letter to the BCB into the matter and is waiting for the reply of the board. The major reason behind Taskin Ahmed not playing Test cricket is that he wants to focus on the white ball format.

As per the report, Taskin Ahmed has showcased the request to the board to not include him in their red ball plans. Taskin believes that he can deliver more in the white ball format and it will also give him more time to recover from his shoulder injury.

Taskin Ahmed requests BCB to not consider him for red ball format

A BCB official Jalal Younus while speaking to Cricbuzz confirmed the matter, but added that the board is yet to take a step. He stated that Taskin Ahmed has sent a letter in which he has mentioned that he doesn’t want to play the long format but the board will decide after the ongoing BPL match is over.

He said, “He( Taskin) had sent a letter stating that he does not want to play longer-version cricket. After the game [of the ongoing BPL] is over we will sit with him in this regard. Let the coach [head coach Chandika Hathurusingha] come and we need to talk with him as well.”

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is also believed to have been aware of the situation and has asked the pacer if he could change his mind. Taskin Ahmed faced a shoulder injury during the ODI World Cup 2023 which resulted in him missing a couple of games in the tournament.

Taskin Ahmed later went for rehabilitation from his injury back home due to which he also missed the two-match Test series against New Zealand. Taskin is currently playing for the Durdanto Dhaka in the Bangladesh Premier League 2024 and is also doing his rehab regularly. Taskin also admitted while speaking after the match against Sylhet Strikers that he is still not at his full best but is getting better day by day.

Taskin Ahmed is also not willing to undergo shoulder surgery. The reason behind same is that he will require at least a year to go under the surgery and also recover from that. During this one year, he shall miss many important matches and tournaments for Bangladesh

In the past as well, Taskin Ahmed has dealt with a lot of injuries due to which he was not given the NOC to go and play in the Indian Premier League. The major reason behind the same was BCB didn’t want to take any risk with the pacer.

Apart from Taskin Ahmed, another pacer Mustafizur Rahman has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board to not consider him for the red ball cricket due to his injuries. BCB granted NOC to Rahman as he was not part of the red ball team.