Image Credit- AP
Bangladesh will be paying close attention to Taskin
Ahmed’s clocking and hitting speeds as they prepare to play India in Pune in
their fourth World Cup match of 2023.
Taskin has had a terrible World Cup so far, taking
just two wickets in three games at an average of 63 and an economy rate of
6.30. Both the team administration and his bowling instructors have noticed
that his pace has been slow and his lengths short.
Taskin, who has delivered with such consistency and is
perhaps one of Bangladesh’s most improved bowlers in recent years, has allowed
the rest of the bowling attack, including the fast bowlers and spinners, to
function more easily. However, after a slow start to the World Cup, his
fast-bowling teammates Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam have had to speed
up the pace, while captain Shakib Al Hasan has been responsible for the most of
the breakthroughs.
Given his recent prominence in the attack, it is surprising
that Taskin hasn’t bowled his full quota of ten overs in any of the three
games. He had 21 strikes in ten innings at 16.85, which followed up on good
2022 and 2021 seasons in which he constantly was among the wickets, and he
entered the World Cup as Bangladesh’s leading ODI wicket-taker.
But thus far in the World Cup, the 28-year-old’s plans
have not materialised. His lengths might hold the answer to it. Prior to the
commencement of the competition, Taskin pitched outside off on 60.47 percent of
his deliveries during the first powerplay in 2023, either on a length, short of
a good length, or on a full length. However, Taskin hasn’t bowled nearly enough
in the first powerplay this World Cup, and when he has, his short deliveries
outside off stump have been quickly fielded.
Taskin should definitely refrain from passing short to
Rohit Sharma throughout the game against India. In the World Cup, the India
skipper has already hit five sixes off of seven short balls, totaling more than
400. And Taskin is all too familiar with it. In ODIs, Rohit has a 200 strike
rate off of Taskin’s short deliveries. The same set of statistics reveals,
however, that Rohit struggles to get Taskin away when the bowler only bowls
length balls.
Mahmud’s point that a bit of rest in Pune could
recharge Taskin could be crucial. His coach Zaki also believes that
“fatigue could be a factor” in his reduced pace. It is now up to
Taskin to regather his wits and re-calibrate his bowling, for a lot of
Bangladesh’s success hinges on how he goes.