‘Want Taskin’s suspension revoked’

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza on Sunday stood firmly behind pacer Taskin Ahmed, who has been suspended for suspect action, stating that they will follow all the due procedures to get his ban revoked.

“There is a process, and we will follow that. Whatever we have to say, we will talk to Bangladesh Cricket Board. BCB will decide what to do and whether talk to the ICC. But we still believe that Taskin - at least - is all right, and that Taskin can bowl,” Mortaza made his stand clear at a media conference ahead of Bangladesh’s ICC World Twenty20 clash against Australia on Monday.

Mortaza advocating for revocation of Taskin’s suspension made it clear that they will not be contesting for left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny.

“Losing two key players is a big blow, but we have to follow the rules and go through the process.”

Mortaza further said the team will miss everything about Taskin and Aarafat because they have done well.

“We will miss everything about them. These two bowlers have done very well for us. Taskin - in the last eight matches - has been outstanding,” he said.

Asked how the bowlers handling the suspension, Mortaza said they are disappointed, but the whole team is behind them and the team wishes them to make a comeback after giving a fight. “Taskin and Sunny are obviously disappointed. The whole team is behind them. The coaching staff and players, are helping them out. All that we can wish and pray is, they come out stronger and fight it out and come back and play for Bangladesh,” he said.

Asked whether there was a case for ICC to allow them play the tournament and later taken a call on suspension, Mortaza said the team is disappointed and at the moment, they cannot do much about it.

“We are very upset with the decision. It’s very disappointing ... again, we can’t do anything at the moment. We have to go through the process,” he said.

Such is the situation that Bangladesh may be forced to field a half-fit Mustafizur Rahaman. On injury status of Mustafizur Rahman, Mortaza said, “Even if he is at 20 per cent, he has to play. We don’t have any players.”

Asked whether Shuvagato Hom Chaudhury and Saqlain Sajib are suitable replacements for Taskin and Aarafat, Mortaza said they are very much capable, but there is a difference between in-form players and novices at international level.