Taskin Ahmed, the dynamic pace bowler from Bangladesh, is anticipated to take center stage for his country at the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. With his fellow fast bowler Ebadot Hossain sidelined due to injury, Taskin Ahmed’s role becomes pivotal in shouldering the fast-bowling responsibilities for Bangladesh. Taskin’s recent consistent performances, including a notable display during Bangladesh’s tour of Afghanistan, indicate that he is well-prepared to rise to the challenge.

Displaying his trademark prowess, Bumrah showcased his abilities with consecutive two-wicket hauls during the recent T20I series against Ireland. While renowned for his mastery with the new ball, Bumrah’s versatility in impacting the middle overs and the death overs adds immense value to India’s arsenal. His resurgence is eagerly anticipated by cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Gulshan Jha, an emerging all-rounder from Nepal, is poised to make a mark on the major stage. The young talent impressed with his batting and bowling skills during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier event. Gulshan’s aggressive batting style, evident in his quickfire half-century against Ireland, and his ability to keep the scoring rate in check during the middle overs, make him a multifaceted player to watch out for.

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, is renowned for delivering exceptional performances on cricket’s grandest stages. Holding the top spot in the MRF Tyres ODI Batting Rankings, Babar’s contribution with the bat is vital for Pakistan’s success. With an impressive record of 18 ODI centuries, he is expected to add to his tally during the Asia Cup, making him a player that opposition teams prioritize dismissing.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s prodigious spin talent, carries the responsibility of his team’s fortunes in the Asia Cup. Ranked fourth in the ODI Bowler Rankings, Rashid’s spin wizardry is set to play a crucial role, especially in conditions predicted to favor high-scoring encounters. With his bag of tricks and ability to deceive batsmen, the 24-year-old is poised to be a game-changer for Afghanistan.

Amidst uncertainties surrounding the fitness of star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Sri Lanka’s off-spinning sensation, faces heightened expectations. Theekshana’s impressive performance of picking up 21 wickets in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier event highlights his form. His recent success in the Lanka Premier League, where he claimed seven wickets, underscores his potential impact in the upcoming tournament.

These six players, each possessing unique skills and capabilities, are poised to captivate cricket fans and leave an indelible mark on the Asia Cup 2023.

Bangladesh is gearing up to face Sri Lanka in their inaugural Asia Cup match on August 31st at Pallekele. As the team confronts these challenges, the aspiration for a successful campaign remains undeterred.

Bangladesh’s fast bowler, Taskin Ahmed, will not receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) due to concerns about managing his workload.

Taskin was offered a chance to play for Dambulla Aura in the entire LPL edition, scheduled from July 30 to August 20, while the batsman, Towhid Hridoy, received an offer to play the first three matches for Jaffna Kings.

“Hridoy will be granted NOC [for LPL], but considering the approaching Asia Cup and the [ODI] World Cup, we must carefully manage Taskin’s workload. As he is already participating in a franchise league [Zim Afro T10], it is essential for him to follow the necessary workload management protocols. Therefore, he will not be given NOC,” revealed a source close to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) who preferred to remain anonymous, as reported by The Daily Star.

In the past, Taskin had to decline an opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League due to his commitments to the national team.

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed and wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim made a dazzling debut in the Zim-Afro T10 league on Friday.

Taskin proved to be the standout performer with the ball for Bulawayo Braves in both of their Friday matches. In the first game against Harare Hurricanes at the Harare Sports Club, Taskin took one wicket, conceding only seven runs in his allotted overs. Bulawayo Braves posted a competitive total of 128 for nine, with Taskin also contributing four runs with the bat. His brilliant bowling played a significant role in limiting Harare Hurricanes to just 79 for nine, securing a convincing 49-run victory for his side.

In the second game, at the same venue, Taskin’s Bulawayo Braves faced Mushfiqur’s Joburg Buffaloes. Although Taskin’s team suffered a 10-run loss, the Bangladeshi pacer delivered the best performance of his career, claiming three wickets for a mere 11 runs in just two overs in the 10-over format game.

Mushfiqur Rahim emerged as the star performer for the Joburg Buffaloes, smashing a scintillating unbeaten 46 off just 23 balls. His innings was studded with eight boundaries, helping the Buffaloes post a competitive total of 105 for seven in their allotted 10 overs.

In response, Taskin’s Bulawayo Braves struggled to keep up with the required rate, finishing at 95 for nine, falling short of the target. Despite the loss, both Taskin and Mushfiqur displayed exceptional skills and contributed significantly to their respective teams in an action-packed T10 encounter.

Taskin Ahmed bowled well in ODI and T20 series against Ireland. He led Bangladesh’s pace bowling attack. As usual, he was also in the only Test team against the Irish. But due to injury, his playing in the Dhaka Test has become uncertain. The only test between Bangladesh and Ireland will start tomorrow Tuesday at the Mirpur Sher-e Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The right-handed pacer was not in practice today due to an injury.

After England at home, Taskin bowled well against Ireland in the ODI and T20 series. He led Bangladesh’s pace bowling attack. Taskin became the series best with 8 wickets in the three-match T20 series at home against Ireland. Average 8.87. The best bowling figure is 4 wickets with 16 runs. Taskin continues to fly. On the ground of the country, where there is not much support for the pacers, they are building a garland of success one after the other. The opponent has become a terror. The right-arm pacer has taken 22 wickets in 14 matches in the T2022-23 season. At the same time, he played 15 matches and got 23 wickets in ODIs. And got 19 wickets in all the last 7 Tests. Bangladesh may suffer from the lack of Taskin against the Irish.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) QI pacer Lockie Ferguson has been injured before the start of this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is expected to miss the tournament. In such a situation, there are rumors in the Indian media that instead of Ferguson, Bangladeshi pacer Taskin Ahmed may be taken by Kolkata. Taskin got a call from IPL last year. But BCB did not want to release Taskin Ahmed. This time too Taskin’s name was in the auction at a base price of 50 lakhs. Although initially, no franchise showed interest in taking him into the team. But this time there may also be a call for him from IPL and that is from Shakib-Litton’s team KKR. There is doubt whether Taskin will be released if he gets the call.

Because the BCB has not yet given clearance to Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Kumar Das, and Mustafizur Rahman. Taskin has been in great form since the last T20. The speed star is among the top 10 wicket takers among pace bowlers from October to this month. He took 14 wickets in 11 matches. Gave a little over 7 runs per over. Although the number of doors is low, the batsmen need help to play Taskin’s ball. He gave only 15 runs in 4 overs against India in the last T20 World Cup.BCCI is a bit unhappy with the issue of BCB giving clearance to cricketers for IPL. Popular Indian media Anandabazar reported that the Board of India might take tough steps to counter BCB. So that no Bangladeshi cricketer may be seen in the auction list of IPL in the future.

Taskin Ahmed brought Will Jacks back to the dressing room after Phil Salt. Jacks returned with his short ball caught by Shakib Al Hasan at short midwicket. With his departure, England lost 5 wickets for 208 runs in 36.4 overs. Bangladesh won the toss and sent the visiting England team into bat first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.

Batting earlier, the English team lost wickets for 25 runs. Phil Salt returned by giving a catch to Nazmul Hossain Shantar off the ball of Taskin Ahmed. This star opener got a chance to score 7 runs off 15 balls before returning to the dressing room. After that, opener Jason Roy made a partnership of 58 runs with David Malan.

David Malan, who ensured England’s victory by scoring a century in the first ODI, was dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 83 runs in 15.3 overs. Miraz did not allow him to score more than 11 runs. James Vince was dismissed by Taijul for the team’s 96 runs.
Phil Salt, David Malan, and James Vince took part in the procession, but opener Jason Roy took the wicket and batted. Shakib Al Hasan sent him back to court.

Jason Roy missed lbw while sweeping the ball from Shakib. Before returning to Sajghar, the star English opener scored 132 runs off 124 balls with the help of 18 times and a six.

Head coach Russell Domingo gave this information at the pre-match press conference. In the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on December 7, a bouncer from Indian pacer Umran Malik hit Shakib on the shoulder. Then his X-ray was done. Nothing was caught in it. However, the injury has fallen in place of the injury. Since then, Shakib was feeling pain in practice. He was again taken to a hospital in Chittagong today for a scan without reducing the pain.

After returning to the field from the hospital, Shakib batted in the nets for half an hour. Looking at his batting, it seems that the injury is not serious. Regarding the captain, Russell Domingo said, “We are still monitoring him. A decision will be taken this afternoon. I want to make sure he’s okay. He is still suffering a little with his ribs and shoulders. But hopefully, he will feel good playing some balls (in the nets). Let’s see how it goes in the afternoon. ‘

On the other hand, pacer Taskin Ahmed is also recovering from the injury. He has been given some plans for a workload from the team. If he can complete them, he will only be seen in the first Test. However, Domingo said that he is not willing to take any risk with Taskin, ‘I will not take the risk with Taskin in the first Test. He returned after a break and had to take an injection. Bowling for one-and-a-half days in such conditions in Chittagong, may not be good for him. He will be rested for the first match. ‘

“We needed this win,” Taskin said at the award ceremony. We played very well as a team. I am happy to contribute to today’s win. I tried to keep the basics right and bowl the length of the Test match. I wanted to give my best. So that I can swing in both directions – this is where my main focus was around the World Cup. ’

The Tigers started this year’s World Cup with a 9-run victory. Bangladesh’s next opponent is South Africa. The match against the Proteas will be held on October 27. Bangladesh will play against Zimbabwe on October 30. Shakib Al Hasan’s team will then play against India on November 2 and Pakistan on November 6.

Opener Enamul Haque Bijoy and star pacer Taskin Ahmed were supposed to go with the team. But their journey was delayed by a day due to visa complications. In this regard, Taskin said that the journey was delayed by a day due to a delay in the arrival of visas. Taskin-Bijoy will fly to Dubai on Wednesday.

Opener Naeem Sheikh, a last-minute addition to the Asia Cup squad, has arrived in Dubai from West Indies’ St Lucia. Head coach Russell Domingo is not going on this tour as he has been removed from T20I. Pace bowling coach Alan Donald, batting coach Jamie Siddons, spin bowling coach Rangana Herath, and fielding coach Sean McDermott are going to the Asia Cup under new technical consultant Sridharan Sriram.
Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in their first match of the tournament on August 30.

Asia Cup Bangladesh Team: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Enamul Haque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mahmudullah Riyad, Sheikh Mehdi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mostafizur Rahman, Sabbir Rahman, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Ibadat Hossain, Parvez Hossain Emon, Naeem Sheikh, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed.