'It was childish of Taskin to cry'

Legends of Rupganj continued their winning run in the Dhaka Premier League while paceman Taskin Ahmed returned amongst the wickets with a four wicket haul in a match against Prime Doleshwar, which Rupganj won by seven wickets, yesterday.

The 24-year-old was left out of Bangladesh's World Cup squad but his strong performance will bolster the voices clamouring for his inclusion.

Taskin had broken down in tears while speaking to reporters after the squad was announced but his reaction drew criticism from various corners. Although captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza had once reacted in a similar manner, their situation was not comparable. Bangladesh Cricket Board director and Abahani coach Khaled Mahmud was critical of Taskin's behaviour, referring to it as 'childish'.

"Selectors denied him for one reason only, and that is fitness. There is time till the start of the World Cup. If he gets better then [the selectors] will have time to rethink. But the way that it, [his reaction] came in the media or social media, it is a disgrace for a national player. It was childish behaviour," Mahmud said.

"We have to be stronger mentally since we play quality opponents. If you cry after you lose…you have to learn how to handle tough situations.

"Every player wants to get selected and we know that when he is fit, he has the ability. He bowls quick and does it well. We needed a bowler who bowls quick. But when a player is sad he can share his feelings with those close to him. People like his father, mother and friends but not the public.

With Bangladesh gearing up for the World Cup with a training camp on April 22nd, concerns remain over the form of a few particular players who did not fare well in the Dhaka Premier League. Soumya Sarkar's highest knock in his last 10 innings in the league was 43.

"Soumya is a class player and I believe that if he gets in a good innings then he will be okay as he has the ability to score big runs. He still has time and I believe he will serve Bangladesh well. He has terrific hand-eye coordination and he can score on the kinds of wickets that will be there [in England]," Mahmud continued.

In Mahmud's opinion, Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Mithun have both played decent knocks in the lead but have not been able to finish. "It is alarming but they are amongst the runs, which is good," he concluded.