Taskin Ahmed believes Bangladesh could have benefited from selecting another fast bowler for the second Test against West Indies, particularly to make better use of the early movement in Sylhet on Thursday.
West Indies reached 235 for four before bad light ended the opening day early, with Amir Jangoo unbeaten on 111 and Justin Greaves on 35. The visitors recovered from 27 for three after Bangladesh’s seamers struck early, but Jangoo and debutant Kevin Wickham built a 131-run partnership to turn the innings around.
Speaking after the day’s play, Taskin said the morning conditions had made him feel an additional seamer could have extended Bangladesh’s pressure.
“At one stage, I felt that having another seamer might have been better. We could not fully utilise the moisture in the first hour of the morning. With another seamer, we might have been able to bowl for longer. The way the ball was moving, there was a chance of taking another one or two wickets,” he said.
Taskin, however, acknowledged that the pitch became easier for batting as the day progressed. He also stressed that Bangladesh’s selection was a decision for the team management, who had considered the possibility of spin becoming more effective later in the match.
“The team selection is entirely the management’s responsibility. They considered the wicket and the conditions and made what they believed was the best decision for the team,” he said.
Bangladesh picked three specialist fast bowlers and three spinners. Taskin and Hasan Mahmud took two wickets each, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan bowled 42 overs between them without taking a wicket.
Taskin said the bowlers would need discipline, consistency and patience on a surface offering limited assistance. He warned against trying too hard to force breakthroughs, which could lead to runs being conceded.
He also defended workload management and rotation, pointing to Bangladesh’s limited pool of fast bowlers and the risk of injuries. Nahid Rana’s absence, he said, had underlined the importance of keeping the pace attack fit for a demanding schedule.
Bangladesh will look to make early inroads on Friday as they try to prevent West Indies from building a substantial first-innings total.
