27 October - Kolkata - Bangladesh player Taskin Ahmed pre-match press conference
[Reporter:]
I wanted to ask you, given what the two, let's say Bangladesh and Bengal share, is there a regret that you don't play enough at Eden Gardens? You played one Test here, and it's only during World Cup that you come here and you haven't played India yet. Is there a regret somewhere that you should be playing India more and should be playing at Eden more?
[Taskin Ahmed:]
Yeah, there are some because we as a player, we always love to play in India because of the crowd and facilities. But I played before in Eden in 2016 in World Cup and hopefully, I'll play tomorrow again. But as a player, I would love to play more. Yeah, definitely.
[Reporter:]
Your USP in your bowling is speed. I mean, you want to hit top speed. But what has been the experience so far in practice and whatever matches you played, on conditions here, do you think it is possible for you to just get wickets on speed or you want to add something more to your repertoire?
[Taskin Ahmed:]
So far, I played in this World Cup and also, I have been watching. It's nothing much for the bowlers. It's kind of batting friendly, all the grounds. But also, there are some challenge and it's not all about speed. Like we have seen there are express fast bowlers in the world, they're also struggling, leaking runs. So, in this kind of conditions, it's not all about speed. You need some variation skills and a game awareness. So, it's not all about speed. You need a lot of skills to do well in this kind of surfaces. Yeah.
[Reporter:]
It must be great to be along with people who can bowl at 145?
[Taskin Ahmed:]
Yeah, good to see. As a fast bowler, when you can bowl fast, it's a different feeling. And you need a lot of passion and hard work. Also, you need some natural talent as well. So, I'm also a fast bowler. When I'm fit and I'm feeling good, and when I'm in good rhythm, when I bowl fast, that gives me different pleasure to me. So, it's good to bowl fast always.
[Reporter:]
Semi-final hope for Bangladesh has already been dashed virtually. So, what is the motivation for the team for the next four matches?
[Taskin Ahmed:]
It's not finished yet. Still four more games to go. If we can win those four, anything can happen because there are some run rates issue and also like a lot of teams like England and Afghanistan beat England they lost against Sri Lanka. So, if we can win four there will be different story maybe but at the moment we are planning to go match by match. Yes, we didn't play well enough as we expected from both units, batting, and bowling, but four games to go. So, we are looking forward to do well as well.
[Reporter:]
The three departments, bowling, fielding, and batting, what do you think, where you went wrong?
[Taskin Ahmed:]
Like I told before, as we expected, our fielding was pretty good so far in this tournament but batting and bowling I think as we expected we haven't done enough well so there are a lot more improvements. But also, we know also that we are better than that. And we are capable. But yeah, we haven't done great. So, hoping to do well in the next four matches.
[Reporter:]
Just before the game against Netherlands, your captain Shakib has left the team for a couple of days and he has been back yesterday already. So how does that affect the team spirit and the thing in the team because the captain was not with the team for the last couple of days. So how does that affect?
[Taskin Ahmed:]
No, actually it's not affected much. I think after when he came back, we had a really good time, all of our teammates. But actually, he went for some improvements, you know, like he was not batted well as he expected. But he went to do some specific practice to do well for our team, like we should more appreciate that, I think. Because he talked with our management, BCB - then he went, and also, we had rest day that day. So, on official practice day, he's here. So, I think we should appreciate it more, and we don't have any problem, and we are not affected with any problems.
[Reporter:]
You have mentioned about the pitch. How do you find the Eden pitch?
[Taskin Ahmed:]
Tomorrow we are going to play the first match in the World Cup here. So, we haven't seen any matches. Most likely it’s going to be a very good wicket, sporting wicket. So normally when I played here before, what I have seen, very good batting track. Outfield is pretty fast. But there will be, I think, for both, bowler, and batsman both going to get some help. So, it's going to be a very good sporting wicket in my thoughts. So, we'll see when we're going to play tomorrow.
[Reporter]
Just before the Netherlands match, you lost 4 matches in big margins, so, obviously, you have pressure and there have been a lot of talks and criticism outside the team, how much this is affecting you and what is the atmosphere in the team? And the other one is, as a fast bowling unit, how do you want to react since you didn't play well?
[Taskin Ahmed]
Well, actually, our betting and bowling were not as good as per the expectation, but I hope that tomorrow, we will win by giving our best and improving in the places where made mistakes. The main goal is to win the matches. There's no option but to win the game. So, the main goal is to win the game by giving our best. If we can improve 10-15% in the areas where we are not good, then we will have the opportunity to win. [inaudible] Oh, this is actually, when something goes wrong, we are the 15 people who have to take responsibility. So, we are taking it as usual, we are taking all the pressure, no problem. When the good times come, we will celebrate together.
[Reporter]
Two things, one is you said that the fast bowlers couldn't keep up with the World Cup rhythm. A couple of times the coach also said this. Are you doing anything specifically with this? Please answer this then I will go with the next.
[Taskin Ahmed]
Yes, actually, the fast bowling unit has improved a lot in the last 1-1.5 years. We have been doing well. We could not do so well in the last 5 matches. If I say that the fast bowlers are not getting a lot of help, instead of that we are focusing on ourselves and how we can improve ourselves. We are meeting and practicing with them to see how we can improve. Our main goal is to improve the bowling in the next four matches. Our goal is whatever we have done so far, we can do better than that and finish the tournament with improvement from the bowling unit. And if we don't do well, it is difficult to win. As our pace bowling is a place of strength. So, hopefully, we will learn from our mistakes and do well. And it will be good, "Inshallah".
[Reporter]
One more thing, you gave the answer about Shakib, which is worth appreciating that he went there. But, does he get such a privilege because he's the captain? Will it be available for others?
[Taskin Ahmed]
Actually, suppose when he spoke with the team management that he needed to practice batting and also that day was a rest day and closer to Kolkata. That's why he went there actually. He didn't go there for any other purpose. He went for cricket-related purposes.
So when the coach and management said, OK, fine, then he went. He didn't break any rules. He took permission. He practiced batting for four hours. The next day, he practiced again and came back. So, we players and our teammates appreciated that he went there to practice even on the rest day. His batting is so important for our team. He is also very eager about how to do well. After coming here, we all sat together and had dinner. We had a good time. I hope we will start doing something new and do well. There are four matches. If we can play well in these four matches and win them, it can be a different result. So, the main focus is tomorrow's match.
[Reporter]
You said that you will play tomorrow. You could not play in the last two matches. I saw yesterday that you were bowling with full intensity. How ready are you actually? And if you play again, there is a chance the injury will come back.
[Taskin Ahmed]
No, actually, the shoulder injury was the first time in the South Africa series, almost two years ago. So, I have a little tear in my tendon from long ago. I am managing it and playing. Even I played in the Asia Cup and now I am playing in the World Cup with the same soreness. Suddenly it went bad. Then the management, doctor, physio, everyone was there. They did an MRI and it was found that I was a little swollen inside. So, I took a few days off and now I feel better. I am in a very good condition personally, but I will understand more when I play. We will see how it goes when we play.
[Reporter]
You played a very close match against South Africa in the T20 World Cup. You became the man of the match in that match. But it was a very close match although it was a different format. But they are very good in this format also, they have defeated South Africa. So, how do you see them as opponents?
[Taskin Ahmed]
Actually, they have defeated South Africa as well. In cricket, it is difficult to win with anyone by saying it before. But we are hopeful, we will do well, we have that ability. We have the ability to win with any team, but at the end of the day, we have to do well in all the units - batting and bowling to win against anyone. We are such a team that wins after doing well in both units. So, we are hopeful, definitely, we will get a good result. This is very important for us to keep alive and for the future. We will win by giving our best.
[Reporter]
Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands, these teams come differently for Bangladesh. I am sure that among the cricketers of Bangladesh team, there is a particular level of caution when playing these matches. You know why. So, the Netherlands team comes after a bad time, I mean teams like these. What is the most tricky match for the World Cup?
[Taskin Ahmed]
Actually, all the matches are tricky if you lose the game, but definitely, there is more pressure in such matches because everyone expects to win. But we want to win all the matches. We cannot win by just saying it. We have to win the right things through the process. So, we have to focus on the next match and win. We have to go match by match. But if we can play our best cricket, we will win "Inahsallah".
[Reporter]
The World Cup is being held in our subcontinent, in India. It's similar to Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. But teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are not doing well? What do you think is the reason? Is it pressure or something else?
[Taskin Ahmed]
Actually, I mean, maybe it's not going as expected, but I think the condition can be a fact. The pitches that we have in our home ground, like in Sri Lanka or Pakistan. But here, because it's a batting-friendly wicket, I think those who are making their innings longer and have better batting strength, are more benefited. So, comparatively maybe the teams from the subcontinent, except India, are struggling in batting or couldn't show their performances yet. The team that has the longer batting and gives a good total to the team, their team's success rate is high. So, that is the thing. We have 4 more matches. In all the processes, if we can bat longer and gather a good total against any opponent, we will have a good chance of winning.
[Reporter]
As you said your injury was during the South Africa match, at that time you were about to undergo surgery but since there was the T20 World Cup after that, you opted to manage it and play. Is it possible to give your 100% if you play by managing it? And do you think that if you had taken a way that time, today when you are playing for the World Cup, you would be in better shape?
[Taskin Ahmed]
As a player, I want to play all the time. I want to play whatever game it is. But when I was sent to the UK after my injury. The surgeon said that there was no guarantee that I would recover after the surgery. It will take about a year to recover. Then they gave me another option, rehabilitation. I did rehab for about a month and a half, I played until now. Now, it become a bit worse. After the World Cup, I will see a shoulder specialist and the board will plan accordingly how to continue by going for rehab a bit. Actually, the surgery is the last option. I want to manage it as much as possible after rehab.
[Reporter]
By this is it possible to give 100% of your ability? [inaudible] How will you manage the pain?
[Taskin Ahmed]
When the pain increases, then it is a little difficult, it's difficult to give my 100%. But as a first bowler, everyone has the niggle, we have to manage it and play. So, everyone pray for me so that my shoulder gets better soon. Then, God willing, I will be able to play well in the future.
[Reporter]
This is the last match of October. This time in the whole of India, especially in Kolkata, dew is a big factor. There is a lot of dew. Can there toss be a factor in this match? And since you're a pacer, for bowlers it's difficult to gip the ball in the dew. How do you plan to tackle the difficulties of gripping the ball in the dew?
[Taskin Ahmed]
In each venue, there are different conditions for the wickets, sometimes the toss is favourable for many teams. And when there is dew, it is a bit challenging for the bowlers. In the back end, the ball gets wet and it is difficult to grip. But you have to adjust with these things and move forward. Because you cannot have an excuse. At the end of the day, if you lose the game, no excuse is granted. Again, if you can win, everything is fine. So, you have to adjust with these things and move forward as a professional player.
[About the toss?]
As I said, the toss is important sometimes because of the different venues, different ground, and pitch. Like in Mumbai, you get benefitted if you bat first as I have seen for every team. And here, we are going to play for the first time. So, we would know better after playing tomorrow's game.
[Reporter]
In this World Cup, you are not getting much fans' support from the ground. In Kolkata, the fans will be more supportive. After losing 4 consecutive matches, do you think Kolkata is the best place to play against the Netherlands and how do you see the fans' support?
[Taskin Ahmed]
Definitely, because when the crowd is more, it actually inspires us additionally. And if the crowd is there, it feels good to play. Moreover, it's in Kolkata, the fans will come from Bangladesh to see the game plus there are a lot of Bengali fans here in Kolkata. Everyone will support us, "Inshallah". That will give us extra motivation even for 5% to play and support us.
[Reporter]
[inaudible] You have been in the bowling position for so long. Has anyone ever hurt you?
[Taskin Ahmed]
No, no. [smile] Actually, no one has hurt me. One thing is that I have worked with many people. Everyone has a goal. Sometimes it is renewed, sometimes it is not. Sometimes the coach does not want to stay, sometimes the board does not want to keep him. When it is time to go at the end of the day, there are different kinds of talks. Either he does not want it or the board does not want it. Then there's a lot of talk like this problem and that problem. So, it is common for everyone before leaving. We even don't know how much truth is in the stories. So, when it's time to leave, we hear that he's leaving for this reason or that reason.
So, when there is no renewal, then it is seen that the coach is also sometimes like that, that I don't want to continue anymore, or the board also sometimes says that they don't want to (continue) maybe. So, I mean, we hear different talks before someone leaves. And no coach hurts us. Those who have worked with us, have always supported us. Maybe, as a player, I can get less benefit than them, or another player can get more benefit. So, some benefit more from each person's approach/method and some benefit less. But, no one actually did the damage. So, that's it. Thank you. Pray for us everyone.