Taskin Ahmed reacts to allegations of 'Oversleeping' before T20 World Cup clash against India

Bangladesh's vice-captain, Taskin Ahmed, has spoken out against recent rumors alleging that he overslept and missed the team's crucial T20 World Cup 2024 match against India. 

The fast bowler dismissed these claims, attributing his absence to team selection decisions rather than any delay on his part.

"I was a little late, but I reached the ground before the toss," Taskin said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. 

"I arrived at the ground around 30-40 minutes before the toss. I missed the team bus. The bus left the hotel at 8.35 am. I left for the ground at 8.43 am. I almost reached the ground with the bus. It is not as if they didn't pick me up because I arrived late. I wasn't going to play anyway," he added.

Taskin's explanation was supported by Bangladesh's veteran all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who affirmed the sequence of events and Taskin's timely arrival. 

"West Indies is a difficult place for transport. He arrived 5-10 minutes before the toss, so naturally, it was difficult for the team management to select him. It was also a difficult situation for the player. Taskin apologized to the team, and everyone took it very normally. It was an unintentional mistake. It ended there," Shakib said.

It is worth noting that both Pakistan and Bangladesh are slated to participate in a two-match Test series as part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2023-25, scheduled for August.