Taskin wants centre-stage

Taskin Ahmed's arrival to the national team was predicted because of his height and pace. He was considered as a complete package. However, injury issues delayed the arrival but when the well-built paceman emerged on the scene, he came in style by taking five wickets against India at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur in June last year.

A side strain had again sidelined the promising fast bowler during the home series against Zimbabwe but he brought a sigh of relief to the Bangladesh camp by returning to action in the Dhaka Premier League.

Hope is there that the young pacer will make his mark in the World Cup because of the conditions down under.

The player himself also has high hopes, saying that he has a dream of entering the list of ten top bowlers in the mega event and wants to be someone the world will know after the World Cup.

Unfortunately, like Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, doubts are always there when it comes to the availability of the 19-year-old paceman for selection, due to his constant injuries.

And there was no exception when he gave an official press conference. "I am now fit. The DPL was my test and thankfully I could play all the matches and there was no problem."

"For any player the World Cup is a dream and I will try to give my hundred per cent, if given the chance to play. I want to take the centre-stage. People should at least say that this Bangladeshi fast bowler is very impressive," he continued.

Everybody will be eager to see him bowling fast to draw attention, but this young man is well aware of the fact that pace is not enough for success.

"As a fast bowler I have to bowl really fast, but in this era you cannot be successful with sheer pace. To succeed I have to maintain my line and length, while displaying good variation. My target is to execute it during the World Cup," was the smart answer, when asked about his impressive pace.

Playing in Australia is always encouragement for any fast bowler, so it is expected that Taskin will be excited to bowl there.

"As a fast bowler, I am excited as I am going to bowl in Australia. But I have a small experience of bowling there when I played in the Under-19 World Cup three years back."

Taskin has a natural in-swing in his bowling attack and he believes that now he has to rely on his strength. "On a good wicket the in-swinger comes naturally to me. I am also working with on my out-swinger, but as the World Cup is drawing nearer I have to put emphasis on my own strength. Gradually I can learn everything," said Taskin.

Only time will tell whether the young man will be able to prove his true class, but everybody's hopes appear to be pinned on him.