Taskin Ahmed Masters the Dew Factor as Bangladesh Triumph in Sylhet

Playing under the lights of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh faced not only the Netherlands but also the elements. A cold breeze, misty skies, and a damp outfield created one of the toughest conditions for bowlers—the dreaded dew factor. Yet, Taskin Ahmed rose above the challenge, producing a match-winning spell of 4 wickets for 28 runs to guide Bangladesh to victory in the series opener.

The Sylhet winter-like conditions made life difficult for bowlers, with the ball slipping from hand and batters enjoying extra assistance. Fielders, too, found it tough to grip the ball. But Taskin thrived in adversity. “The dew was definitely a challenge for bowlers. Alhamdulillah, we managed to restrict them to a low total. The wicket was sporting, but challenging,” Taskin said after the game.

His approach combined pace with variation. Alongside his trademark speed, Taskin cleverly mixed in slower deliveries. “In T20s, even good balls can go for boundaries, and sometimes you get wickets off bad balls. I just tried to bowl the right delivery at the right time,” he explained.

Taskin, who has battled injuries throughout his career, credited careful workload management. “Our physio and trainers are monitoring everything closely. If I stay fit, I want to play across all formats. For me, it’s about focusing on the present—training when there’s training, matches when there are matches,” he said.

Despite the personal accolades, Taskin emphasized team spirit as the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s success. “The most important thing is that everyone is supporting each other, and that’s making us stronger as a team,” he remarked.

The series against the Netherlands doubles as Bangladesh’s preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup. For Taskin, this game was not only about winning but also about fine-tuning skills in pressure conditions. “I think this is really good preparation ahead of the Asia Cup. We’re focusing on fitness, bowling strategies, and team coordination,” he noted.

Unexpected dew in Sylhet, normally associated with late winter and the BPL, surprised even Taskin. “Usually in the BPL during winter there’s dew. I didn’t expect this much in the heat. But it’s beyond our control—we just have to adjust,” he admitted.

Bangladesh’s win, therefore, was more than a matter of wickets. It was a display of mental toughness, adaptability, and collective resilience. For Taskin Ahmed, it was proof that true fast bowlers don’t just rely on speed—they conquer conditions with skill, patience, and heart.