Bangladesh's Taskin keen on learning from Aussie greats ahead of Darwin Test
Darwin, August 10
Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed, playing his first-ever Test in Australia, is keen on picking the brains of the Aussie pace quartet of skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland during the series and said that the country is his favourite place to bowl.
The first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh will start from August 13 at Darwin. Taskin, closing in on the mark of 300 international wickets, has played nine white-ball internationals in Australia, picking 14 wickets at an average of 26.00, but this will be his first-ever outing in whites in the Aussie land.
Speaking ahead of the first Test in Darwin, Taskin said as quoted by ICC, "From my childhood, I have been watching Australia team players, like great fast bowlers, legendary players.
"Really now I have the opportunity to play against them. So I am really excited."
"Australia is my favourite place to bowl. I have been watching all of them, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, even Scott Boland also doing well. If I have a chance to chat with them, I definitely will," he added.
His wickets in Australia include six of his nine wickets for Bangladesh across the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2015, which was hosted in Australia and New Zealand.
Bangladesh will arrive in the series having mounted a famous 2-1 ODI series win against Australia at home only two months ago.
Taskin, who finished as the second-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in the series with five scalps, believes the triumph gives the visitors a much-needed morale boost heading into the Test series, starting on August 13.
"That was a really great series for us, especially because normally, traditionally in Mirpur, it used to be a turning and slow wicket, but the last series was pretty sporting conditions," he said.
"We all played a good series, and we won against Australia. That is giving us really good confidence to play against them. But still, home and away, there is a big difference," he added.
Also a positive for Bangladesh is their performance so far in this WTC cycle, with the team currently fourth in the WTC Standings, with a 58.33 PCT after four outings.
Australia, on the other hand, will be vying to maintain the pole position, boasting a PCT of 87.50 in the race to seal a spot at next year's ICC World Test Championship Final at The Oval.
Series Schedule:First Test: August 13-17, Marrara Stadium, Darwin
Second Test: August 22-26, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
Squads:Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Bangladesh squad (first Test): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Musfik Hasan.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Taskin has always been a determined bowler. The ODI series win must have given them massive confidence. But Test cricket in Australia is a different beast altogether. Wishing Bangladesh all the best!
As an Indian fan, I always appreciate when players from subcontinent teams try to learn from the Aussie pace attack. Taskin's pace and swing can be lethal if he uses what he learns. Exciting times for Bangladesh cricket!
Taskin's enthusiasm is infectious. The fact that he respects the Aussie greats while wanting to compete against them shows the right spirit of sportsmanship. Hope the series is a cracker!
Bangladesh's recent rise is heartening for South Asian cricket. The WTC points table doesn't lie - they are 4th! If Taskin picks up tips from Cummins and Starc, he'll be a handful in the future. All the best, Bangladesh!
One thing I'd like to point out - the Bangladesh cricket board should focus on preparing better pitches for Tests at home. The ODI series win was great, but the real test is here in Australia. Taskin needs support from the team, not just individual brilliance.
As someone who has watched Bangladesh's journey since the
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