Mashrafe Mortaza upset after Taskin & Arafat suspensions

Bangladesh received a setback yesterday when two of their main bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny who were under investigation for illegal bowling action, were banned from bowling until further notice by the ICC.

“There is a process, and we will follow that. Whatever we have to say, we will talk to Bangladesh Cricket Board. BCB will decide what to do and whether talk to the ICC. But we still believe that Taskin – at least – is all right, and that Taskin can bowl,” Mortaza made his stand clear at a media conference ahead of Bangladesh’s ICC World Twenty 20 clash against Australia on Monday.

Bangladesh lost their first match against Pakistan in a convincing fashion and need to win against Australia tomorrow to keep their hopes alive. Going by the reaction of the captain, it indicates that they are only contesting against the suspension of Taskin and not Sunny.

Taskin and Al Amin are the top two fast bowlers for Bangladesh, since Mustafizur is struggling with an injury. Bangladesh will be looking to get the suspension of Taskin revoked or postponed, so that he can play in the tournament.

Mortaza said that the whole team was behind the two suspended bowlers and were supporting the players in the full spirit. “Taskin and Sunny are obviously disappointed. The whole team is behind them. The coaching staff and players are helping them out. All that we can wish and pray is, they come out stronger and fight it out and come back and play for Bangladesh,” he said.

On being asked about Shuvagata Hom and Saqlain Sajib on being potential replacements for the suspended duo, Mashrafe said that they can be ideal replacements, but there is a difference between in-form players and players who will just come into the team in such an important tournament.

Mashrafe said that they were prepared to face Australia, but conceded that though they had played good cricket for the last 18 months, they had not performed upto expectations in the Asia up T20.