Taskin expresses regret over missing IPL opportunity

Bangladesh speedster Taskin Ahmed is working on his recovery from a shoulder injury. The pacer said he is upbeat about making a comeback in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but expressed regret over missing the IPL chance.

The pacer was included in the IPL draft — the cash-rich T20 event in India. However, at the last moment, his name was withdrawn by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), marking the third time he missed an IPL opportunity, reports UNB.

 “As a cricketer, I always want to play in franchise leagues,” Taskin said. “With this, I missed the IPL chance three times.”

Taskin also missed the opportunity to play in the recently-concluded New Zealand series due to a shoulder injury.

“I would have enjoyed it if I was on this tour. It's always great to bowl in New Zealand,” he said. “I would have witnessed Bangladesh's success if I were there. Bangladesh played really well. It's our team, and the pride is always ours.”

Bangladesh's pace-bowling unit performed well in New Zealand, making the most of the conditions. During the tour, Bangladesh won an ODI and a T20I, marking the first instances of Bangladesh winning white-ball international matches against New Zealand on Kiwi soil.

The right-arm pacer mentioned that he has started to bowl with full strength and is expected to make a return with BPL.

“I’m feeling much better now and have started bowling,” he said. “We still have two weeks to go before BPL, so I believe I can make a comeback fully fit.”