Bangladesh’s pace bowler Taskin Ahmed expressed on Friday that the team is under immense pressure as they gear up to face the Netherlands in a pivotal ICC World Cup match scheduled at the Eden Gardens on October 28. Bangladesh has had a challenging run in the ongoing ICC World Cup, suffering four consecutive losses following their victorious opener against Afghanistan. Another loss to the Netherlands would be a significant setback, given the expectations of victory against associate nations.
Nonetheless, their current performance in the global tournament doesn’t guarantee an easy victory, especially after the Netherlands upset high-flying South Africa earlier in the competition. Coupled with the weight of expectations, this presents a formidable challenge for Shakib Al Hasan and his teammates, who are eager to turn their fortunes around.
Taskin shared his thoughts with reporters ahead of the match against the Netherlands at the Eden Gardens, stating, “In matches like these, the pressure is substantial due to the high expectations placed on us. We aim to win every game, and to do so, we must focus on our process and execute the right strategies. We should concentrate on the upcoming match, and if we play our best cricket, we can secure a victory. I don’t believe it’s over for us.”
He continued, “Our hope of reaching the semi-finals is not extinguished. We have four more games to play. If we can win those four, anything is possible, considering factors like run rates and the unpredictable outcomes of other matches. Currently, our focus is on taking it one match at a time. While our batting and bowling units haven’t performed as expected, our fielding has been quite good. There’s room for improvement, and we believe in our capabilities.”
Taskin, who recently returned to the team after recovering from a shoulder injury, emphasized the need to manage his shoulder while playing. The injury had forced him to miss crucial matches against India and South Africa, and it had been a recurring issue since 2022.
“I first experienced this shoulder issue during our South Africa tour two years ago. I’ve been playing with a tear in my tendon for a while now, even during the Asia Cup and World Cup. Recently, the pain increased, and medical tests revealed swelling. After a few days of rest, I’m feeling better. I want to play all the time, but the decision on surgery or rehabilitation will be made after the tournament in consultation with a shoulder specialist.”
Taskin also expressed his support for ODI skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who had left the team hotel to work on his batting skills with his mentor in Dhaka. Shakib’s below-par performances and an injury had led him to seek this additional training. Despite the controversy surrounding his absence from the team hotel, Taskin believes it was a positive step: “I don’t think his absence had any negative impact. He went to work on his batting skills with the support of the management and the BCB. His commitment to self-improvement is something we should appreciate.” Shakib rejoined the team during the official practice session.
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