Sylhet:Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has expressed support for the team management's decision to include three spinners in the lineup for the second and final Test against West Indies. He noted that the pitch is expected to favor spinners in the later stages of the game, potentially becoming decisive.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the match saw early success for Bangladesh's fast bowlers, with Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud reducing West Indies to 27-3. However, a century from Amir Jangoo allowed the visitors to recover and reach 235-4 before bad light ended play for the day. Taskin and Hasan each claimed two wickets.
Taskin commented on the team selection, saying, "Team selection is entirely the management's responsibility. They considered the wicket and conditions and made what they believed was the best possible decision for the team." He acknowledged that an additional pace bowler might have strengthened the attack but emphasized the need to adapt to the chosen combination.
Despite the challenges, Taskin dismissed concerns over workload management for himself and Hasan, stating that both fast bowlers and spinners must be prepared to bowl According to team's needs. He emphasized the importance of discipline and consistency in bowling, with little room for error.
Taskin also addressed Bangladesh's fielding issues, noting ongoing efforts to improve catching, especially in the slip and gully positions. He highlighted the need for better game awareness and body language to enhance overall performance.
In response to remarks by West Indies batter Kevin Wickham about his team's goals, Taskin remained unfazed, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of Test cricket. He noted that while the Sylhet pitch typically favors batting early on, a strong performance by Bangladesh in the first hour of play could lead to an early collapse for the visitors.