Taskin Ahmed clears air on oversleeping allegations in T20 World Cup

Taskin Ahmed (Photo Source: Twitter)

Bangladesh’s fast bowler Taskin Ahmed recently dismissed allegations of oversleeping and missing his team’s T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 game against India due to the same. The controversy, which had been swirling, has now been addressed by both Ahmed and former skipper Shakib Al Hasan, shedding light on the actual circumstances surrounding the incident.

Bangladesh had a respectable showing in the marquee event, finishing second in Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, and Nepal. The team advanced to the Super Eight stage after victories against Sri Lanka, Netherlands, and Nepal, with their only group stage loss coming against the Proteas.

However, they struggled in the Super Eight stage, losing all their matches against Australia, India, and Afghanistan. Ahmed, Bangladesh’s vice-captain, finally broke his silence on the controversy surrounding his absence from the crucial match against India.

“I was a little late, but I reached the ground before the toss,” Taskin told Dhaka-based newspaper Ajker Patrika.

Also read: Shakib Al Hasan yet to decide on India tour participation

I wasn’t going to play anyway: Taskin Ahmed

Ahmed emphasized that his absence from the playing XI was not due to his tardiness but rather a decision based on team composition.

“I arrived at the ground around 30-40 minutes before the toss. I missed the team bus. The bus left the hotel at 8.35 am. I left for the ground at 8.43 am. I almost reached the ground with the bus. It is not as if they didn’t pick me up because I arrived late. I wasn’t going to play anyway,” he added.

Also read: Taskin Ahmed apologises for missing team bus after waking up late for India game

Supporting Ahmed’s clarification, Shakib also shared similar thoughts as the fast bowler. He also spoke about the bowler apologizing to the team.

“West Indies is a difficult place for transport. He arrived 5-10 minutes before the toss, so naturally, it was difficult for the team management to select him. It was also a difficult situation for the player. Taskin apologized to the team, and everyone took it very normally. It was an unintentional mistake. It ended there,” Shakib said.