Didn't do anything with Taskin: Waqar
Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed, who last featured in Bangladesh's Test and ODI sides during the September-October 2017 tour of South Africa, was recalled to the national team following his exploits in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Currently the pacer is the highest wicket-taker in the T20 tournament with 20 wickets, surpassing the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who are in joint second position in the wicket-takers' with 17 each. That local bowlers have shined is a good sign for the Tigers before the series against New Zealand and Sylhet Sixers coach Waqar Younis said that Taskin was very eager to perform in order to get into the team.
"I didn't do anything with Taskin [to improve him]. Taskin did it on his own. He is a hard-working kid and he is a good learner. He wanted to get into the Bangladesh team and if you want something like this badly and if you put in the hard yards, there is every chance you will get it; that's what exactly happened," Waqar said.
"I did not change anything," he reiterated when asked to comment on Taskin's BPL form.
Taskin however said that Waqar's role was crucial as instead of changing the pacer's technique, the Pakistan legend had merely guided him in identifying what he was already doing right while pointing out small deficiencies.
"Our Sylhet coach Waqar Younis helped me out a lot. The main thing is rhythm and confidence," Taskin said on his recent success.
"He [Waqar] said that I am in shape when he saw me bowl in the first net session. I talk to him regularly when I get the chance. He told me to keep it simple so that the pace doesn't drop."
Taskin would like to perform well enough to go to the World Cup in England this summer. There is a long way to go but, having gotten his foot back in the door through inclusion in the Test and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour, he has a realistic chance if he keeps up his BPL performance.
"Inshallah if I am included in the World Cup squad, I will try to do well," Taskin concluded.