Taskin Opts Out of LPL to Prioritise Australia Test Preparation

Bangladesh’s premier fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has made a calculated sacrifice, withdrawing from the Lanka Premier League to ensure he is fully prepared for the upcoming Test tour of Australia. The 30-year-old pacer confirmed his decision on Wednesday, prioritising the two-match series Down Under over a lucrative franchise stint.

Taskin, who was originally set to represent Jaffna Kings in the LPL, had already secured a No Objection Certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to feature in the tournament. He was initially expected to skip the T20I series against Zimbabwe for that purpose. However, those plans changed when Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out through injury, prompting Taskin to remain with the national side for the entire Zimbabwe assignment.

Having just completed six back-to-back matches in Zimbabwe, the pacer reasoned that another four games in Sri Lanka would leave him with insufficient time to acclimatise and prepare for the rigours of Test cricket in Australian conditions.

“Yeah, I had withdrawn myself from LPL and it is mainly for Australia Test series preparation,” Taskin told Media. “We played six back-to-back matches in Zimbabwe, maybe I would have got four matches there (in LPL). After my stint there (in LPL) if I return home and immediately go to Australia my Test match preparation would be hampered.”

The decision carries significant weight given the rarity of the opportunity. Bangladesh are scheduled to depart for Australia in August, marking their first Test tour of the country since 2003. The two-match series, part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, will be played in Darwin (August 13-17) and Mackay (August 22-26).

“Despite a little loss I thought it’s okay as the Australia series won’t come around often. That’s why I took the decision and so I pulled out from the LPL even after having the NOC,” he added.

Injury Concerns Mount for Bangladesh?

While Taskin’s withdrawal is a proactive measure, the team management faces more immediate concerns on the fitness front. Young fast bowler Nahid Rana sustained a left side strain during the second T20I against Zimbabwe and was unable to complete his spell. Rana arrived in Dhaka earlier on Wednesday and will undergo scans to determine the severity of the injury, leaving his availability for the Australia tour in doubt.

There is more encouraging news regarding left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation after suffering a hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe tour. If his recovery proceeds as scheduled, the standard three-week rehabilitation period would place him in contention for the opening Test in Darwin.

The Bangladesh pace attack, already missing Taskin’s services in the LPL, now faces an anxious wait as the team management assesses the fitness of both Rana and Shoriful ahead of one of their most challenging assignments in recent years.

                                               

Relevant news