Taskin Ahmed: 'If you’re wishing, why not ask for more? I could take eight wickets too'

It's a rare feeling when words said in jest turn into reality. For Taskin Ahmed, Thursday was one of those days, as his casual remark in the dressing room materialised spectacularly on the field.

Speaking at the press conference after Durbar Rajshahi's dominant win against Dhaka Capitals, Taskin shared the light-hearted incident that preceded his historic performance.

"There's a funny story about my seven wickets today," he began. "Our staff member Anwar was telling me in the dressing room, 'Brother, you'll take four wickets today.'

I replied, 'If you're wishing, why not ask for more? I could take eight wickets too.' Now it turns out I got seven wickets (laughs)."

For most players, such an achievement would seem improbable. But Taskin, who has rebuilt his career through sheer hard work and perseverance, wasn't surprised.

"I believed I could take seven wickets; otherwise, how would it have happened? Honestly, I'm more pleased because I am executing what I want to do. Good bowling matters. Wickets will come and go, but succeeding in what I set out to do makes me happiest."

Taskin's remarkable spell of 7 for 18 in four overs was the best bowling performance in BPL history and the best ever by a Bangladeshi in T20 cricket.

It also ranked as the third-best T20 figures globally.

Reflecting on his approach, Taskin said, "You need some luck to take wickets. A five-wicket haul is special in any format. Today, luck and my plans worked together. I feel proud that, as a Bangladeshi, my name will now be etched in the history of this tournament. That's a matter of pride for me."

One wicket stood out for him in particular. "I was most pleased with Litton's wicket," he said. "I delivered a ball that would have forced any batter to play. Litton played it and got out exactly as per my plan. Every wicket is satisfying because you have to work hard for them. It feels great when plans succeed."

Taskin's achievement came on a rare sporting pitch at Mirpur, where the combination of cold weather and heavy fog created conditions reminiscent of English grounds. "Alhamdulillah, we won the match. I thoroughly enjoyed bowling on such a pitch. It was a very sporting wicket. If we can get pitches like this more often, our cricket will improve significantly. It's good for both batters and bowlers," he said.

When asked why he didn't attempt a half-volley to try for an eighth wicket, Taskin responded, "I didn't let greed get the better of me. A half-volley could have been hit for a boundary too. I took it one ball at a time and acted according to the situation."

Captain Anamul Haque Bijoy also played a crucial role in Rajshahi's victory with a second consecutive fifty, putting him at the top of the run charts. However, Bijoy was quick to highlight Taskin's contribution. "We must thank Taskin. The way he bowled, taking responsibility for the team, was incredible. The fielding was great too. A score of 175 isn't a bad target. Burl did well, and Yasir's 22-run knock contributed to key partnerships."

For Taskin, the night was one to remember, as everything fell into place. "What I want to do is happening," he said with a smile. "Alhamdulillah, I executed my plans, we won, and it feels great."