This is not my time for rest: Taskin

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed, who is set to leave for West Indies on Friday for the Tigers’ white-ball series against them, said that it was not yet time for him to manage his workload and ask for rest from any format.

Taskin last played for Bangladesh in the Durban Test against South Africa, from March 31 to April 4. He injured his shoulder in that Test and was subsequently out of the next Test and Bangladesh’s next two Test series against Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Before his injury, Taskin had a huge workload as he played three Tests, and six One-Day Internationals in the first three months, along with playing in the Bangladesh Premier League.

But Taskin said it was not yet time for him to ask for a rest, and that he wanted to play all three formats right now.

“I want to play all three formats. If I can’t at some point, then I’ll say it. Now, it’s time to stay fit and play. My dream is to become world-class. It’s not yet time that I need rest. If I can’t manage it (workload) at some time, maybe then. But it’s not time yet,” he told the media on Wednesday.

Taskin informed that he was satisfied with his fitness after recovering from his injury.

“I bowled with 100% effort today and it was alright. I tried everything. The selectors and doctors were here. They are satisfied, and so am I. There was no problem,” he said.

Taskin also said that he was not concerned with injuries as they were a part of the game.

“You can get injured at any moment. You can twist your leg while walking. So, there is no point in being afraid of injuries. When I get to play, I will try with my 100%. If I get injured, I will come back after rehabilitation,” the right-arm pacer said.

Taskin will join the team in St Lucia, where Bangladesh will play the second Test. Then, the team will travel to Dominica for the first two T20Is of the three-match series, starting on July 2. The ODI series will start in Guyana on July 10.