IPL 2022: Taskin Ahmed to join Lucknow Super Giants, could miss IPL for Test series

Bangladeshi cricketer right-arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman Taskin Ahmed reportedly will be signing with Lucknow Super Giants replacing English bowler Mark Wood per multiple reports. The English pacer has been ruled out from the competition following his elbow injury during the first Test match against the West Indies national team in North Sound.

However, Super Giants is in the tight spot as the Bangladeshi cricketer has been reserved for two Tests series against South Africa and India which will render him unable to play for Lucknow in IPL 2022.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus has confirmed Ahmed’s condition and his national commitments, adding: “it won’t be right for him to take part in the IPL”.

“Since we have two important series like the ongoing home tour of South Africa and the home series against India, we feel it won’t be right for him to take part in the IPL,” Yunus said.

Ahmed between national commitment, IPL

Yunus further explained that the BCB has spoken with Ahmed and the player understood the situation at hand. For the development onwards according to BCB, Ahmed will refrain from joining Lucknow in IPL 2022 over the South Africa tour series and “later will return back home”.

“We have spoken with Taskin and he has understood the whole situation. He informed the franchise that he is not playing the IPL and will be available for the South Africa tour and later will return back home,” Yunus added.

However, according to multiple reports, Super Giants’ mentor Gautam Gambhir wanted the 26-year-old to play for the team throughout the whole event of IPL 2022. Gambhir explained that should the player agree, then he must leave ahead of the South African Tests series.

“I want Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed in the team and that is for the whole season. If he agrees to the offer, Taskin will have to leave for India before the next two Tests against South Africa,” Gautam Gambhir was quoted as saying,” Gambhir said.

Reports also suggest Ahmed has requested a time extension to negotiate proposal terms with the BCB. Moreover, a member from the Bangladesh team revealed that Ahmed will possibly be given a pass to leave the Test series for IPL due to “reality in cricket” which likely refers to the freedom given to cricketers.

“Franchise cricket is a reality now. You can’t hold anyone even if you want to. BCB president Nazmul Hasan is also generous in accepting the reality, That’s why a key member of the team said that Taskin is more likely to get leave,” the member added.

Moreover, should the Bangladeshi cricketer be set to join IPL this year under the management of Zimbabwean head coach Andy Flower and skipper KL Rahul’s leadership, Ahmed has many things to catch up with the franchise.

Lucknow is scheduled to take on Gujarat Titans for their IPL opener match—butting heads against Hardik Pandya and his men will be a difficult job for the Super Giants.