Bangladesh team returned home last Friday after the disappointing World Cup. Pacer Taskin Ahmed's sleeping behavior before the India match has been discussed more than anything after the World Cup debacle. Finally, this right-handed pacer opened up about the matter.

SBS Desk

July 03, 2024

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CRICKET

Taskin's status with sleepiness

Bangladesh team returned home last Friday after the disappointing World Cup. Pacer Taskin Ahmed's sleeping behavior before the India match has been discussed more than anything after the World Cup debacle. Finally, this right-handed pacer opened up about the matter.

In a status from his verified Facebook page today, Wednesday (July 3), Taskin wrote, 'Assalamu Alaikum, I hope everyone is well. I recently came to know from various media outlets online that there is a lot of fuss about an incident in the recently concluded T20 World Cup.

First of all, I want to let everyone know that most of the news and information being spread are just rumors and I hope fans see it that way.

Second, I want to clarify what actually happened that day.

I admit that I am up later than usual and for that I have already apologized to the entire team and management.

I got up at 8:37am and went to the lobby at 8:43am and left the hotel at 9:00am with my ride ready. 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.

It is very unfortunate that these so-called sports journalists are spreading/printing news based on rumours, and trying to tarnish my image as a player of the national cricket team without verification.

Those who know me know how much I love our country and how dedicated, enthusiastic and proud I am to represent Bangladesh. I know I made an inadvertent mistake of not getting on the team bus in time, but I was at the stadium before the toss. It was the decision of the team management that I was not selected in the final squad. Which had to do with getting the right team combination and it had nothing to do with my failure to get on the team bus.

So, I hope the media and sports journalists will be more careful before writing false stories and not create a toxic environment. It not only harms our players but also tarnishes the overall image of our country. I believe we all expect honest and professional journalism to move forward as a nation.

In the future, I will take legal action in such matters so that no one tries to undermine my reputation or integrity as an athlete or as a person.

Thanks to all my fans for their continued support.'