Taskin is aiming for four consecutive victories to maintain Bangladesh’s competitive position.

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed acknowledged the mounting pressure on their team, rather than their opponents, as they brace to face the Netherlands in a crucial ICC World Cup match at Eden Gardens on October 28.

The Bangladeshi team is facing a challenging phase in the ongoing ICC World Cup, having lost their last four matches after a promising start with a victory over Afghanistan. Another loss to the Netherlands would be a significant setback, especially considering the expectation that they should win against associate nations.

However, their current performance in the global tournament suggests that it won’t be a straightforward victory, especially after the Netherlands upset high-flying South Africa earlier in the tournament. Taskin emphasized the added pressure due to the high expectations and the need to focus on each match to reverse their fortunes.

“Look, if we lose the match, everything becomes complicated, but the pressure is certainly higher in such games because of the expectations. Everyone feels that we have to win,” Taskin expressed to reporters before the game against the Netherlands at Eden Gardens.

“We aim to win every game, and the key is to follow the right process and execute it. We should concentrate on the next match. If we can secure a win, we can continue taking it one game at a time. It’s not over for us yet regarding our hope of reaching the semi-finals,” he added.

Taskin acknowledged that their performance in both batting and bowling units hasn’t been up to their expectations in the tournament so far, but he remains optimistic about their chances, with four games remaining. He stressed the importance of improvement in these areas and expressed confidence in their abilities.

Taskin, who had been sidelined due to a recurring shoulder injury, mentioned that he would have to manage his shoulder and continue playing. He described how he has been dealing with the shoulder issue and the options available to him, including potential surgery.

As for Shakib Al Hasan’s individual training session in Dhaka, Taskin offered support for his decision and noted that it was intended to help him regain form with the bat, despite the team’s initial concerns. He highlighted the positive aspect of Shakib’s commitment to improving his performance and mentioned that he had returned to the team for the official practice session.

In summary, Taskin discussed the mounting pressure on Bangladesh, the need for improvement in their performance, and Shakib’s individual training to enhance his batting abilities.