‘There is no alternative to being disciplined’

The morning air felt a little different in Durban yesterday, perhaps more so for Taskin Ahmed, who at one point a few years ago had felt unwanted in the national fold. But after being adjudged the player of the series in Bangladesh's historic ODI series win in South Africa, he is now the centre of attention.

However, that transformation did not come easy. The 26-year-old had to endure and overcome some harsh realities, including being dropped after Bangladesh's previous South Africa tour in 2017, an incident that had a significant mental impact on him. Taskin bursting into tears in front of the media after being dropped from the squad for the 2019 World Cup is another memory that is still fresh.

During this dark period, it was a realisation that he would have to strive to improve his game that kept the pacer on his toes and gave him a point to prove. He put in the hard yards in the gym, ran across sand and silently learned new tricks from his coaches despite the mental burden he had to bear.

"I can't really define the feeling, to be honest," Taskin told The Daily Star over the phone yesterday. "Everyone reminded me of what happened the last time and how I had to struggle [after being dropped in 2017] to return to the side. All I did was follow the same process for the past couple of years.

"I remember everything that happened during that tough phase. But it doesn't hurt me anymore because the reality is that when you play well and perform, everyone will rally around you. When you don't, people will turn their backs on you."

After bursting onto the international scene with a five-wicket haul on debut against India in 2014, it took Taskin nearly eight years to record his second fifer as his efforts restricted South Africa to 154 runs in the third and final ODI on Wednesday. Bangladesh clinched that game with a comprehensive nine-wicket win to secure the series 2-1.

"It's a feeling that I cannot put to words. What I want to do is to stay fit and perform. The fifer was a very special thing for me because I had my first five-wicket haul on debut. The one against South Africa came after a long time and it's very hard to explain the feeling," Taskin said.

All the attributes to become a world-class fast bowler coupled with superstar looks saw Taskin become a young sensation and garner millions of followers on social media since the early stages of his career. However, Taskin himself admits that a lack of discipline and maturity in those early stages taught him a big lesson.

"The difference between the between the past and present Taskin is obviously discipline. My lifestyle, food habits, work ethic and everything else changed. There is no alternative to being disciplined on and off the field. I realised that very early in my career," he said.

With the aim to be among the top bowlers in world cricket, a hungry Taskin is in no mood to stop here. "The dream is to reach the top, but at the moment I want to keep my feet on the ground and try to become consistent across all formats for my country."