Taskin backs Mustafizur to come good against Oz

Cricket365
August 22, 2017

Bangladesh seamer Taskin Ahmed has backed fellow paceman Mustafizur Rahman to put his recent poor form behind him and shine in the upcoming Test series at home against Australia.

The 21-year-old Mustafizur has established himself as one of thebest young bowlers in limited-overs cricket having taken 44 wickets in 22 ODIs at an average of less than 20 and bagging 27 scalps in just 17 T20Is at 14.92.

However, the left-armer only took four wickets during Champions Trophy in the UK while he has only played in four Tests, taking 12 wickets at 23, since his debut in the longest format in 2015.

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Taskin said: “We always expect a lot from Mustafizur. And he fulfils the expectations.

“Maybe he didn’t do all that well in the recent matches, however it happens to the best of pacemen in world cricket; they also struggle in one or two matches.

“We are not thinking about this. I hope he makes a comeback.”

Taskin though says he and the other seamer in the squad, Shafiul Islam, must also take responsibility during the two-Test series against the Aussies on what is most likely going to be spin-friendly surfaces.

The 22-year-old Taskin made his debut in the longest format in New Zealand just five months and he is set to make his home bow in Test cricket against Australia in Mirpur on Sunday.

All four of his previous Tests were away from home where he has taken seven wickets with his best figures of 2/43.

Taskin continued: “Besides Mustafizur, (Shafiul and I) also have responsibility to do something good against Australia. They are one of the world’s best teams.

“But we know the (home) wickets better than them. We are familiar with everything. If I get an opportunity, I will like to bowl a match-winning spell.

“I don’t say that match-winning spell means taking five to seven wickets. I will like to bowl some good overs instead of that.

“As like, our spinners may take seven wickets and in the middle, I may pick two wickets. I really want to do something – that will help the team.”

The second Test between Bangladesh and Australia will take place in Chittagong from 4 September.