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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have announced the exclusion of right-arm fast bowler Taskin Ahmed from their squad for the second Test match against South Africa. This decision, coming ahead of a critical series-concluding match, has drawn attention from fans, given Taskin’s pivotal role in Bangladesh’s bowling lineup
The selection panel opens upon Taskin Ahmed’s exclusion
Taskin last represented Bangladesh in a Test match against India in September 2024. Despite being part of the Test squad for the current series against South Africa, he was left on the bench for the opening match in Dhaka. In a strategic decision by the BCB, Taskin will be absent for the upcoming match in Chattogram, where the team is aiming to recover from a loss in their first Test.
A member of the BCB selection panel has provided insights into the rationale behind Taskin’s exclusion.
A selector has mentioned that Taskin, considered an all-format player for the team, will be away for 50 days for ODIs against Afghanistan and a full series against the West Indies.
“Taskin is our all-format cricketer and will be flying away from home for 50 days as we have ODIs against Afghanistan followed by a full-fledged series against the West Indies,” a member of the selection panel told Cricbuzz.
The selector added that Taskin will be rested to keep him fresh for the long tour, while Khaled Ahmed has been included as backup, with Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud fit and ready to play.
“We want to have him fresh ahead of the long tour and so decided to rest him, while Khaled is included so that if we need him, we can use him considering our two pacers, Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud, are fit and ready to go,” the selector added.
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Bangladesh faces uphill battle against South Africa
After a seven-wicket loss in the first Test match, Bangladesh are in a must-win situation going into the second and final Test of the series, which will be held at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Although a series win is out of reach, a victory in this match would allow Bangladesh to level the series, giving the team a much-needed morale boost.
Following the South Africa series, Bangladesh’s international schedule will continue with a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. After that, they will embark on a full-fledged series against the West Indies, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
