Taskin set for Test debut

Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed is all set to make his Test debut after he was drafted in the Bangladesh squad for the two-match series against New Zealand.

The 22-year-old right-arm quick has been in the one-day side for quite some time -- he has played 23 ODIs and has taken 35 wickets at an average of 27.8. But his introduction to the ultimate format of the game has been delayed mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding his ability to sustain in the longer version of the game. He has played only 10 first-class matches.

He has not complained of any stress-related issue in the domestic cricket for over six months -– featuring in the one-day competition for Abahani and then playing the BPL before embarking on the New Zealand trip.

“It has always been a dream for me to play Test cricket. This is the ultimate for a player,” quipped the tall pace bowler as he was heading to the dressing room after bowling in the nets at the Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

Taskin played all the three ODI's against New Zealand. But he was rested in the first T20I against the Black Caps at Mclean Park on Tuesday.

Considering the conditions in New Zealand, where pace bowlers rule the roost, Taskin could not have asked for a better place to make his Test debut. He will definitely be a part of the four-pronged pace attack when the opening Test starts at the windy Basin Reserve in Wellington on January 12.

Five players including skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will return home after the T20 series.  Three others are Ibadat Hossain, leg-spinner Tanbir Hayder and off-spinner Shuvagata Hom. The team management however is still in a dilemma over two players. There is a strong possibility for Soumya Sarkar to return home and off-spinning all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain to stay back.