Taskin rises to the occasion

It takes immense willpower and focus for a cricketer to forgo a lucrative offer to play in the money-spinning Indian Premier League for the first time in his career and return the very next day to pick up a five-wicket haul.

The player in question is Taskin Ahmed, who has transformed his personality after being out of the national team for three years since the Tigers' previous tour of South Africa back in 2017.

The 26-year-old blew away the South African batting order in their den and ended with figures of five for 35 from nine overs, giving Bangladesh a huge opportunity to script history and get a maiden series win in South Africa with his heroics in the third and final ODI yesterday.

Interestingly, Taskin became the first away pacer in 10 years to scalp a fifer in South Africa after Lasith Malinga had achieved the feat in 2012.

But Taskin's performance yesterday was neither unexpected nor surprising, given his mantra of sticking to the process and not thinking about outcomes, which has started to pay dividends in recent times.

After an impressive three-wicket haul in the first ODI, it was probably a good toss to lose for Tamim Iqbal as the hosts opted to bat on a Centurion pitch that had enough pace and bounce for Taskin to bank on.

Although South Africa made a flying start, racing to 46 in seven overs, the introduction of Taskin in the eighth saw the pacer immediately able to read the bounce offered by the surface.

After bowling two overs, Taskin swapped ends and picked up his first wicket by sending back Kyle Verreynne as the right-hander dragged a short and wide delivery from the seamer onto the stumps.

In his next over, Taskin removed the dangerous Janneman Malan with some extra bounce. The right-hander moved towards the bowler, but was undone by some late movement away from his body, edging it to keeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

"I stuck to my process and basics and executed well and I am happy today (Wednesday). Yes, I got a bit of extra bounce from the surface but I stuck to my process and line and length. I also tried to bring in some variation with cross-seam and seam-up deliveries," an elated Taskin said during a post-innings interview yesterday.

The tall quickie was brought back for his third spell by skipper Tamim in search of a few more wickets and he delivered, removing Dwaine Pretorius.

Although South Africa were in dire straits after being reduced to 107 for six, David Miller looked key to posting a fighting total in the series-decider.

But Taskin had other ideas, delivering a double-blow and going for the kill. He first removed Miller, who initially shuffled towards the off-side but Taskin followed him and bowled a length delivery at his hips that the left-hander could only edge to Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps.

Two balls later, the moment that Taskin had been waiting for finally came as he registered a second five-wicket haul to follow up his fifer on debut against India in 2014.

A gem of a delivery to Kagiso Rabada tempted the batter as a fuller delivery landed outside the off stump. And it proved too good for the tail-ender, who could only get an outside edge.

Taskin's joy knew no bounds after reaching the milestone, taking off with his trademark celebration and thanking the Almighty after finally getting what he deserved.