Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed oversleeps, misses key T20 World Cup game

In the Super 8 Group 1 clash, Bangladesh’s skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto relied on six bowlers, deploying Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman as the only pacers against India’s aggressive batting line-up. Despite a collective effort from Indian batsmen, including Hardik Pandya (50), Rohit Sharma (23), Virat Kohli (37), Rishabh Pant (36), and Shivam Dube (34), Bangladesh couldn’t withstand the onslaught, succumbing to a 50-run defeat.

Cricbuzz reported that a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official disclosed Ahmed’s apology following the incident. The official explained that Taskin had overslept and failed to answer his phone, resulting in his absence from the starting XI. The official further noted that only head coach Chandika Hathurusingha could confirm if Taskin was initially slated to play against India.

“It is true that he [Taskin] joined the team later after missing the team bus,” the BCB official stated. 

“But why he did not play only the coach can say because whether he was in the plan or not [against India] is something that can be answered by the head coach [Chandika Hathurusingha]. If there was any issue between the coach and the player, how did he play the next game against Afghanistan? He apologised to his teammates and everyone for not being able to get up on time, and that’s it. There is no need to make an issue out of it,” the official added.