Bangladesh pace bowling coach Andre Adams has recently spoken about Taskin Ahmed’s chances of playing red-ball cricket in the future. Taskin has struggled recently with injuries which have curtailed his involvement in Test cricket for Bangladesh.
However, the fast bowler is keen to play more Test matches for his country and is working hard to improve his fitness. Andre Adams, who has been with the Bangladesh team since February this year, confirmed the news.
Andre Adams on Taskin Ahmed’s chances of playing Test cricket
In an interview with The Daily Star, Andre Adams spoke about Taskin Ahmed’s future as a Test cricketer for Bangladesh. Adams clearly mentioned that it is still too early to force Taskin into Test cricket and that he needs to be stronger to play the longer format of the game.
“I don’t think so, it’s too early. He needs to get a chance to bowl before he becomes a contender. I think it’s very exciting for Bangladesh that Taskin wants to play red-ball cricket. We should be grateful for that as he can easily go and collect money all over the world. He just needs time. Nathan Kiely, the new strength and conditioning coach, has worked really well on his fitness. You need to be fit and strong and there’s no way out of that,” Andre Adams said.
Adams also added that the world’s fast bowlers are strong and very fit and Bangladesh needs to focus on this aspect. He mentioned that Taskin is working hard on his fitness and can play red-ball cricket in the future.
“Bangladesh is focusing more on the physical aspects,” says Andre Adams
“All the fast bowlers in the world are fit and strong. Bangladesh is certainly focusing more on the fitness aspects. If you want to stay in touch with the world order, you have to focus on this aspect. Taskin is certainly working hard on that. The unfortunate thing is that fast bowlers do get injured. But if he wants to play and gets fit, there is no reason why he can’t do it,” he added.
Despite making his international debut over a decade ago, Taskin Ahmed has played just 13 Tests so far. He doesn’t have a great record in the format and has picked up 30 wickets at an average of 51.50.
He made his Test debut almost 7 years ago but injuries have limited him to playing only in white-ball formats most of the time. He is a key part of Bangladesh’s ODI and T20I teams and was recently appointed as the team’s vice-captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Taskin Ahmed has played 73 ODIs and has taken 103 wickets at an average of 29.98 and an economy rate of 5.41. In T20Is, he has 72 wickets in 67 matches at an average of 23.94.
Bangladesh will play a two-match Test series against Pakistan starting from August 21 in Rawalpindi. They will then play a two-match Test series against India, starting from September 19 in Chennai.
