Bangladesh national cricket team has suffered a major blow ahead of its first Test against Pakistan national cricket team. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has been ruled out of the first match, which will take place from August 21 at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
As per reports from Geo News, it has been learnt that Taskin Ahmed will not be available for selection for the first Test as he will be playing for the Bangladesh A team. The fast bowler will feature in the four-day game against Pakistan Shaheens, which will be played from August 21.
Front-rower Taskin Ahmed will be available for selection from the second Test match onwards as the team management wants him to get some game time before returning to the Test squad, having missed a lot of action due to injury.
The player has been battling a shoulder injury for some time now, and this has kept him away from the longer format of the game. Ahmed has not featured in the longer format of the game since June last year. He has been part of the team in the white-ball format.
Ahmed, despite suffering from a shoulder injury, has been selected for the Bangladesh national cricket team in white-ball cricket. He played for the team in the T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies in June, but as the Test requires more physical stamina, he has not featured in the longer format of the game.
Taskin Ahmed was given the green light to play even after battling a shoulder injury
Before Bangladesh’s departure for Pakistan, all the players underwent a fitness test. Taskin Ahmed also participated in the test and was closely monitored by Bangladesh Cricket Board physiotherapist Bayjedul, who kept a close eye on the player before the squad announcement.
BCB physiotherapist, after the fitness test, stated that Taskin Ahmed will play the Test series despite having an injury. He mentioned that the player can manage the injury if he continues with his rehabilitation and training and if he feels fine, he will play with the team in the Tests.
After playing for Bangladesh A, he is likely to take part in the second Test, which will be played at the same venue from August 30. He would like to make an impact in the A team and then help the main team.
On the other hand, Pakistan National Cricket Team has announced its starting XI for the first Test match against Bangladesh National Cricket Team. They have named four fast bowlers in the team with Salman Ali Agha being the all-rounder of the team in terms of spin.
Moreover, Mohammad Rizwan has been the favourite to play in place of Sarfaraz Ahmed. Saim Ayub has also retained his place in the team and will open the innings with Abdullah Shafique. Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel will bat in the middle while Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali will be the four fast-paced batsmen.