“We appreciate he went there to bat on a rest day” - Taskin on Shakib’s Dhaka trip

After Bangladesh's demoralizing World Cup loss to South Africa in Mumbai, skipper Shakib Al Hasan flew to Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka to train with his coach Nazmul Abedeen and worked on some of his shots. He came under a lot of criticism for taking a trip to Dhaka in between the World Cup, with Bangladesh preparing to play the Netherlands at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. 

Initially, team director Khaled Mahmud said that Shakib had gone to Dhaka for personal reasons, but later Taskin Ahmed threw his full support behind his skipper while adding that his teammates and management were aware of his trip. 

"He informed the team management that he needs to work on his batting," Taskin said. "It was a rest day, plus Dhaka is close to Kolkata. He didn't go to Dhaka for any other purpose. It was cricket-related. He went after the coach and management told him its fine. He didn't break any rules. He took permission,” Taskin said in the pre-match press conference in Kolkata.

“He batted for four hours on the first day. He practiced on the second day before returning to Kolkata. As players and teammates, we appreciate that he batted on a rest day. His batting is so important to the team that he, too is desperate about improving it.  We all went to dinner after he returned yesterday. We had a good time," he said.

Taskin Ahmed will be returning to the Playing XI for the match against the Netherlands after being sidelined for a couple of games due to his shoulder injury. He provided the update by saying he was working on getting back to full fitness mode but would be available for the Kolkata clash.

"I had this shoulder injury for the first time in South Africa two years ago. I have a tear in my tendon for a long time. I am playing by managing it. Even in the Asia Cup and World Cup, I am playing with it and suddenly, it became swollen.

"Doctor and physio did the MRI, and it was found out so I took rest for a couple of days and now I am feeling better. I am personally in a good shape and after playing can I understand where I stand," the pacer said.