Bangladesh vice-captain Taskin Ahmed claimed he did not play in Bangladesh's recently concluded T20 World Cup’s match against India because the management had excluded him from the squad for better combinations and not for his oversleeping.
However, the pacer admitted that he overslept ahead of the side's crucial T20 World Cup match against India but claimed false news was being made by certain media to create a toxic environment.
Bangladesh had a below-par tournament even though they moved to the Super 8. However ever since the Taskin' issue came to the fore, it overshadowed Bangladesh's forgettable World Cup campaign, reports BSS.
"I have come to know through various online news that a huge outcry is being made of an incident which occurred during the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Firstly, I would like everyone to know that most of the news and information which is being spread are nothing more than rumours and I would hope that the fans treat it as the same," Taskin wrote on his verified Facebook page, clarifying the incident.
"Secondly, I would like to clarify what actually happened on the day of the incident.
I admit I woke up later than usual and something for which I have already apologised to the entire team and management.
I woke at 8:37 am and went to the lobby at 8:43 am and as soon as my ride was ready I left our hotel at 9:00 am. I entered the stadium at 9:40 am, 20 minutes before the match toss at 10:00 am. We sang the national anthem at 10:15 am and the match started at 10:30 am," he went on to say.
Taskin was not included in the match which Bangladesh lost by 50 runs.
"It's quite unfortunate that these so-called sports journalists are printing news based on rumours and without verification and trying to tarnish my image as a player of the national cricket team. Those who know me know how much I love our country and how dedicated, passionate and proud I am to represent Bangladesh. I know I have made an honest mistake by not getting on the team bus on time, but I was at the stadium before the toss. My lack of selection in the final team was a team management call based on getting the right combination and had nothing to do with my failure to be on the team bus."
Taskin however said he would take legal action if any further fabricated news is published.
"I, therefore, hope the media and sports journalists take more caution before writing fabricated stories and creating a toxic environment. This not only hurts us as players but also our country's image as a whole. I believe we all expect ethical and professional journalism to move forward as a nation," he said.
"In the future, I will address frivolous issues like this legally to ensure no one tries to malign my reputation or integrity as a sportsman or a human being. Thanks to all my fans for their constant support."
