Taskin regrets missed IPL chance, upbeat about return to BPL

The pacer said he is upbeat about making a comeback in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but expressed regret over missing the IPL chance.

Bangladesh speedster Taskin Ahmed is working on his recovery from a shoulder injury. The pacer said he is upbeat about making a comeback in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but expressed regret over missing the IPL chance.

The pacer was included in the IPL draft — the cash-rich T20 event in India. However, at the last moment, his name was withdrawn by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), marking the thrid time he missed an IPL opportunity.

 “As a cricketer, I always want to play in franchise leagues,” Taskin said. “With this, I missed the IPL chance three times.”

Taskin also missed the opportunity to play in the recently-concluded New Zealand series due to the shoulder injury.

 “I would have enjoyed it if I was on this tour. It's always great to bowl in New Zealand,” he said. “I would have witnessed Bangladesh's success if I were there. Bangladesh played really well. It's our team, and the pride is always ours.”

Bangladesh's pace-bowling unit performed well in New Zealand, making the most of the conditions. During the tour, Bangladesh won an ODI and a T20I, marking the first instances of Bangladesh winning white-ball international matches against New Zealand on Kiwi soil.

The right-arm pacer mentioned that he has started to bowl with full strength and is expected to make a return with BPL.

 “I’m feeling much better now and have started bowling,” he said. “We still have two weeks to go before BPL, so I believe I can make a comeback fully fit.”