Taskin shines in the shadows

Although Nahid Rana stole the spotlight with a match-winning five-wicket haul to power Bangladesh’s landmark 104-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test in Mirpur on Wednesday, senior pacer Taskin Ahmed also played a crucial role in turning the match in the hosts’ favour.

Returning to red-ball cricket after nearly one and a half years, the 31-year-old delivered timely breakthroughs and became only the third Bangladesh pacer after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain to claim 50 Test wickets. He also contributed valuable lower-order runs, scoring 28 off 19 balls in the first innings and 11 off five in the second, as Bangladesh set Pakistan a challenging target of 268.

Ahead of the Test, the Bangladesh Cricket Board had rested Taskin during the preceding T20I series against New Zealand, allowing him nearly three weeks of recovery before his return to the playing eleven.

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Taskin provided the breakthrough in the first innings when the visitors reached 210 for one in reply to 413, removing centurion Azan Awais before dismissing captain Shan Masood soon after to drag the hosts back into the contest.

He was also Bangladesh’s most controlled fast bowler in the innings, operating with greater discipline than his pace partners Rana and Ebadot Hossain. On the final day, with all three results still possible, Taskin gave Bangladesh the perfect start by dismissing Imam-ul-Haq in the opening over before removing Salman Ali Agha, effectively denting the chase and setting up the platform for their first home Test win over Pakistan.

The Tigers eventually bowled Pakistan out for 163, with Rana’s ruthless spell of four for 10 sealing the win. Yet Taskin’s efforts did not go unnoticed. “Before talking about Nahid, I want to mention Taskin Ahmed first,” said Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in the post-match presser.

“The way Taskin started after the tea break, coming in and beginning his spell, really set the tone. That four-to-five-over spell brought us the momentum,” added Shanto, who himself enjoyed a brilliant match, scoring 101 and 87 while making several bold decisions in the field.

“One thing we always discuss is bowling partnerships… In that area, I think Taskin and [Mehidy] Miraz did an excellent job during that phase of the first innings. In the second innings as well, Taijul [Islam], Taskin, Rana, and Miraz all focused on maintaining those bowling partnerships.”

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Meanwhile, chief selector Habibul Bashar also praised Taskin’s contribution. “Nahid Rana’s spell was extraordinary and caught everyone’s eye,” Bashar told The Daily Star yesterday.

“But don’t forget, when Pakistan were batting well on Day 2 and Day 3, Taskin’s wickets helped us come back,” added the former Bangladesh captain.

Since his international debut 12 years ago, Taskin’s career has been marked by repeated setbacks. Yet, despite persistent injury struggles, his ability to return time and again shows why, even amid the rise of younger pacers and after playing only 18 Tests, his experience and quality remain indispensable to the Tigers.