Taskin Ahmed’s Historic 7-Wicket Haul in the BPL

Taskin Ahmed, the star pacer for Durbar Rajshahi, etched his name in cricket history with a phenomenal performance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Taskin recorded 7 for 19, the best bowling figures in the BPL, during a match against Dhaka Capitals. This exceptional feat also made him only the third bowler in men’s T20 cricket to achieve a seven-wicket haul.

• Historic Achievement: First seven-wicket haul in BPL history.
• Elite Company: Third bowler in men’s T20 cricket to achieve this feat.
• Crucial Impact: Helped Rajshahi secure a crucial win.
• Future Prospects: Taskin aims to replicate such performances in international tournaments.

Setting a New BPL Benchmark

Taskin’s achievement surpassed the previous BPL record of 6 for 17 set by Mohammad Amir in 2020. His outstanding spell was instrumental in restricting Dhaka Capitals to a modest total of 175 runs, which Durbar Rajshahi chased successfully with seven wickets in hand.

Taskin’s bowling brilliance began with the dismissals of Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan, who fell in his first two overs. He continued to wreak havoc by claiming three wickets in his final over, completing his historic haul with remarkable precision and control.

Joining an Elite Club

Taskin Ahmed’s remarkable feat places him alongside Colin Ackermann and Syazrul Idrus as the only bowlers to claim seven wickets in a T20 match. Ackermann achieved this milestone during the Vitality Blast in 2019, while Idrus replicated the feat for Malaysia in 2023.

Reflecting on his record-breaking performance, Taskin expressed his joy, saying, “I am really happy to take seven wickets. It’s a big deal for me, and I will always cherish holding this BPL record.”

Taskin’s Stellar Consistency

The year 2024 saw Taskin emerge as one of Bangladesh’s premier bowlers, with an impressive haul of 63 international wickets at an average of 19.23. His consistent performances across formats highlight his growing stature as a reliable match-winner for Bangladesh.

In this match, his intelligent use of variations and pinpoint accuracy proved too much for the Dhaka Capitals’ batters. His slower deliveries and yorkers were particularly effective, securing crucial breakthroughs at key moments.

The Magic Over: Taskin’s Final Spell

Taskin’s most impactful contribution came in the death overs. Returning to bowl the 17th over, he dismissed Shahadat Hossain and Chaturanga de Silva with clever variations. His final over was a masterclass in T20 bowling, yielding three wickets and derailing Dhaka’s innings.

• Alauddin Babu fell first, mistiming a shot to mid-off.
• Mukidul Islam was undone by a perfect yorker.
• Shubham Ranjane, Taskin’s seventh victim, edged to the keeper, sealing his extraordinary spell.

Taskin narrowly missed a hat-trick but finished with the stunning figures of 4-0-19-7.

Rajshahi’s Comfortable Chase

Thanks to Taskin’s heroics, Durbar Rajshahi faced a manageable target. They cruised to victory in the 19th over, with strong contributions from their top-order batters. The win highlighted Rajshahi’s dominance in the tournament and reaffirmed Taskin’s importance as a key player.

Reflections and Future Goals

Taskin credited his success to visualization and preparation. “I have always thought about taking a lot of wickets. If you don’t visualize it, you can’t make it happen,” he said. He also acknowledged the role of sporting pitches at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, which offered a fair balance for both batters and bowlers.

Looking ahead, Taskin expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy. He emphasized the need for bowlers to maintain discipline on good batting tracks, as seen in the UAE and Pakistan.