Pacers need to step up: Taskin
A tour of South Africa is not a familiar one for Bangladesh cricketers. Only batsmen Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes in the current squad are survivors of the Tigers' last tour of the country in 2008, and they will probably want to forget the twin innings defeats they suffered then. The bowling is in inexperienced hands, especially with Shakib Al Hasan opting out of the Test leg of the tour.
With that in mind, a concession of 313 for eight to a young South Africa Invitation XI batting line-up in the three-day tour match that ended on Saturday may raise some concern among Bangladesh fans but fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, likely to lead the charge against a formidable South African batting line-up in the first Test from Thursday, did not seem too worried.
"The pitch [in Benoni] was flat and slow; it almost seemed like home," said Taskin at the team hotel in Potchefstroom yesterday. "I doubt we will get a wicket like that in the first Test. Altitude is little bit high [in South Africa]. We had a little bit of trouble with that during the practice match. But we are adjusting to it well. Hopefully we will adjust fully before the first Test."
Despite the inexperience -- the five Bangladesh pacers have a combined Test total of 47 Tests, with Rubel Hossain alone accounting for 24 -- Taskin was excited at the prospect of bowling here.
"It is a kind of pressure, because the pacers have to bowl really well in these conditions," The 22-year-old speedster said. "The pacers have to step up and take responsibility, because I believe if the pacers are not to bowl well here, then it will be impossible to even fight in the match.
"Consistency and patience is important, along with swing bowling, to get success in Test cricket. Although we are kind of inexperienced as -- I have played only four Tests and Mustafizur [Rahman] has only played six Tests, but I believe we have tried to get results in our short careers. We are training under Courtney Walsh, [Chandika Hathurusingha] and other coaches. Hopefully we will get good results."
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