Happy & proud Taskin wants to do his best in T20 World Cup 2024

The T20 World Cup of this year is right around the corner. It will start on June 2 and continue until June 29. The Tigers have already departed for the United States, seeking their best performance in the ninth edition of the World Cup.

However, prior to this, Taskin Ahmed, who has taken 64 wickets in international T20Is, spoke on a program called 'The Green Red storyy' organized on the official Facebook page of the Bangladesh Cricket Board in anticipation of the World Cup.

"I have improved and gained experience compared to before. If I don't improve after playing for so many years, I am committing a crime against my country. The cricket board has supported and given me opportunities for so many years, and now it is my time to give something good to the country in the coming years," Taskin said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the board for waiting until the last moment after he got injured.

At the beginning of the video message, Taskin thanked the Creator, saying, "Alhamdulillah that I am in the team and also became the vice-captain."

Taskin also reminisced about his disappointment in the 2019 World Cup. He said, "This time, when the team waited for me, it reminded me of how I left the Mirpur Stadium in disappointment during the 2019 World Cup. This time, the board delayed the squad announcement for another World Cup because of me. It is truly a moment of pride for me as a player. I will try to honor this recognition."

He added, "Playing for the country is something difficult for me to explain. When I was out of the team for two and a half to three years, I realized that there is no greater peace than playing for the Bangladesh team."

The Dhaka Express described playing for Bangladesh as a unique tranquility. He also mentioned that his eyes often filled with tears while singing the national anthem. In his video message, Taskin repeatedly emphasized that playing for the country is an indescribable feeling. Overcoming his injury and returning to the field, Taskin Ahmed feels very fortunate.

Taskin made his debut in the national team in 2014. He has been playing for the Tigers in both white-ball formats for ten years. Throughout this long journey, Taskin has faced multiple injuries but has always made a comeback, overcoming all obstacles. In the past few years, he has been one of the key figures in the country's pace department. The new vice-captain of the Tigers believes it is now time to achieve something significant with his ten years of experience.

In this World Cup, which features 20 teams divided into four groups of five, Bangladesh is grouped with strong teams like South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Netherlands in Group D. Two teams from each group will advance to the next round. The path to the Super Eight is quite challenging for Bangladesh. However, Taskin believes that despite the difficult journey, achieving the goal is possible.

The Tiger speedster said, "I firmly believe that our team will definitely make it to the second round. Although the first two matches are big matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa. T20 is a game of great uncertainty. Any team can defeat any other at any time. We should not underestimate the Netherlands and Nepal. Anything can happen in T20 at any time. We will surely go to the second round."

In the pace attack, Taskin will pair up with the cutter master. He expects wickets not only from himself but also from Mustafizur. He didn’t miss the opportunity to joke either. Taskin said, "I hope both Mustafiz and I get a lot of wickets, but neither of us should surpass the other. That way, both of us will get more wickets, and the team will benefit as well."