Who is Taskin Ahmed?
Bangladeshi pacer Taskin Ahmed has now made the world take notice of his talent. The 19-year-old speedster scalped 5 for 28 in the 2nd ODI versus India at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur on Tuesday. The Indian batsmen had no answer to the lanky lad's pace as the Men in Blue folded for a paltry 105. The Dhaka-born pacer has now become the first Bangladeshi bowler and the eighth overall to take a 5-wicket haul on his ODI debut. His figures are also fourth on the list of best bowling figures on ODI debut.
He got noticed first in 2012 while tormenting the England U-19 batsmen with his pace and bounce, but it was the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League that provided him the apt platform. Coming on as a replacement for the injured Shaun Tait, Taskin scalped 4 for 31 and guided Chittagong Kings into the second semi-final against Shylhet Royals. The teenager continued his good show and even took 2 for 28 in the tournament final against Dhaka Gladiators. But alas, Chittagong Kings and Taskin suffered heartbreak as the Gladiators clinched the title courtesy a 43-run win.
Constantly clocking over 140 kmph, Taskin impressed the Bangladeshi selectors and made them consider blooding this talented teenager. But a troublesome knee injury kept him out for almost a year and made Taskin endure a long wait for his national cap.
It was finally at the World T20 held in Bangladesh that he earned his first Bangladesh cap versus Australia. The teenager awed the Aussies with his fiery pace at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. Even though brutal assaults from Aaron Finch (45-ball 71) and David Warner (35-ball 48) guided Australia to a comfortable win, they played Taskin with caution. The teenager conceeded only 24 runs at an economy of 6 and scalped Glen Maxwell's wicket.
Other than Mashrafe Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain, Bangladesh hasn't had pacers who could clock over 135 kmph. Already having clocked 140, let's hope this teen sensation can continue to shock more such cricketing heavyweights and perform his best for the national side.