Is Taskin retiring from Tests due to IPL?

Speculation has been rife in the cricketing world regarding Bangladesh pace bowler Taskin Ahmed’s future in the longer format of the game. While he remains officially unretired from Test cricket, recent developments suggest a shift in focus towards white-ball cricket, particularly fueled by his absence from the forthcoming IPL. Taskin’s journey and aspirations came to light during a candid conversation with Cricbuzz in Chattogram, shedding light on his experiences and the choices that lie ahead.

Taskin’s disappointment was palpable as he reflected on the performance of his team, Durdanto Dhaka, in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 tournament. Despite an encouraging start, the team faced a string of defeats, leaving Taskin disheartened. “When the team doesn’t perform as a team, you don’t feel good,” he admitted, highlighting the importance of collective effort in cricket.

Test or IPL? Taskin tells his choice

The conversation swiftly turned to Taskin’s thwarted aspirations of participating in the IPL, a tournament coveted by cricketers worldwide. He expressed frustration at missed opportunities, citing instances where international commitments took precedence over IPL offers. Taskin’s disappointment was compounded by the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision not to grant him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the IPL, a move he believes significantly impacted his future in red-ball cricket.

“Certainly it is frustrating but when I got the first offer it was during a series (against South Africa) and I decided ok (let the IPL offer go) because it was in the middle of the series and we won the ODIs and I wanted to be part of the series. Later unfortunately I turned out to be a hero. The next time when the offer came we had a series and I didn’t go because I was playing in the series but this time round I was expecting to get the NOC but still I didn’t get because we have lot of games in the coming days and there is Zimbabwe series and I asked them just give me one series but that didn’t happen.”

Taskin’s narrative underscored his desire to prolong his international career, especially in white-ball cricket. He emphasized his readiness to seize opportunities in franchise cricket, provided his fitness permits. Taskin’s determination to contribute to Bangladesh cricket was evident as he navigated the complexities of balancing personal aspirations with national commitments.

He added,

“Perhaps it could have been, but I cannot guarantee and say that. Teams have contacted me about my full availability and I could not get that full availability. Now, since I am not playing one format, if I am available and free and, most importantly, if I am fit, I might go and play in the IPL.”

The decision to step away from Test cricket was not taken lightly by Taskin. He revealed the internal struggle he faced, torn between personal ambitions and familial concerns. Taskin’s family played a pivotal role in advising him to prioritize health and longevity over immediate aspirations, urging him to consider the risks associated with his injury.

In Taskin’s words, the choice to take a break from Test cricket was not about forsaking the format for IPL glory but rather a strategic decision to safeguard his physical well-being and prolong his international career. His resolve to give his “hundred per cent” in whichever format he plays reflects a commendable commitment to excellence and longevity in cricket.

His statement reads,

“There is a matter of bowling and fielding for a long time when you play Tests. But when it comes to T20, yes, it’s a high intensity games with lot of loads but its four overs bowling with 20 overs high intensity match and later comes recovery and it is the same with ODIs where you will bowl maximum 10 overs and later there is a chance of recovery but in the Tests, after bowling 20 overs in one day, then I may have to bowl 20 overs the very next day. But I am not in this situation. The thing is, due to my hand, I cannot give [right] efforts in Test cricket and it won’t have effectiveness and there is high risk for me as well and that is the reason I wanted break from Test and whichever format I play I want to give my hundred per cent.”

As Taskin navigates this pivotal phase in his career, his journey serves as a testament to the complex interplay between personal aspirations, professional commitments, and physical well-being in the world of cricket. With clarity of purpose and a supportive network behind him, Taskin remains poised to make significant contributions to Bangladesh cricket in the years to come, both on the field and beyond.