IPL 2022: Lucknow Super Giants likely to sign Taskin Ahmed as Mark Wood’s replacement
Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is all set to head to Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2022. The right-arm pacer is likely to join the debutant as Mark Wood’s replacement.
Incidentally, the English cricketer suffered an elbow injury during the first Test against West Indies. He bowled only 17 overs in the match and walked out of the ground holding his elbow in gruelling pain.
Eventually, he was ruled out of the remainder of the Test series. The injury will also keep Mark Wood out of IPL 2022, who was acquired for a whopping INR 7.5 crore at the mega auction last month.
As per reports in Bangladesh website Kaler Kanth, Lucknow Super Giants have zeroed in on Taskin Ahmed as Wood’s replacement. Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of the Lucknow franchise, has also initiated talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seeking his availability.
“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,” Gambhir was quoted as saying.
Taskin Ahmed, who has so far taken 23 wickets in 33 T20Is, is currently serving Bangladesh in the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa, which concludes on March 23. He is also part of the Test squad for the two-match series against the Proteas.
The pacer will have to skip the red-ball leg of the tour if he opts for the IPL deal. Taskin has sought some time from the franchise before making up his mind.
BCB unlikely to give Taskin Ahmed NOC for IPL 2022
The cricket board in Bangladesh will not be providing the pace bowler with the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the IPL given that they have important series lined up.
As per reports in Cricbuzz, Taskin Ahmed has already informed the franchise about his unavailability.
“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, BCB cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus said.
“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,” he said while speaking to the reporters according to Cricbuzz.
