Published: 10:33 AM, 24 September 2026
Bangladesh focus on playing spin well ahead of Afghanistan series
Taskin registers for inaugural Afghanistan Premier League
Bangladesh are preparing for their upcoming Test against Afghanistan with special emphasis on honing their skill to deal with spin bowling properly in anticipation of a turning track.
Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful said that the team is keeping all possible conditions in mind during their preparations, including the prospect of a spin-friendly wicket.
"When we have some time, Phil Simmons gives us this kind of training," Ashraful said on Tuesday. "Before Pakistan, we brought in a bowling machine during the skill-training sessions. This time too, we are preparing by keeping all the options in mind. Afghanistan may provide a spin-friendly wicket, so we are also training accordingly."
Bangladesh will have six skill-training sessions before the Test. On the opening day of their preparation, the players placed emphasis on batting for long periods and bowling extended spells without breaks.
"We trained for two hours before lunch and another one and a half hours afterwards today. The focus was on enabling the batters to bat for long periods and the bowlers to deliver long, uninterrupted spells," Ashrafulsaid.
"We will continue this preparation before leaving the country," he added.
Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in the one-off Test in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on October 9.
Following the Afghanistan series, Bangladesh are scheduled to play two Tests against the West Indies at home. The selectors are already planning the workload of their fast bowlers to ensure they are available for the important Tests.
Earlier, Bangladesh pacers Taskin Ahmed and NahidRana rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan as the selectors want to keep them fresh for the upcoming important matches in the World Test Championship (WTC).
Chief selector Habibul Bashar Suman said Taskin was rested with the team's upcoming Test commitments in mind.
Meanwhile, Taskin Ahmed has officially registered for the inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), opening the possibility of featuring in the tournament.
The APL confirmed Taskin's registration through its official Instagramaccount on Wednesday. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) also announced the development through its official social media platforms.
The player registration process for the inaugural APL has already been completed. According to the organisers,more than 1,000 cricketers have registered for the tournament, including over 500 overseas players.
The APL player draft is scheduled to be held on September 27, when Taskin'sparticipation will be decided.
The Bangladesh pacer has not yet been linked with any particular franchise in the tournament.
In its social media post, the APL said Taskin had officially registered for the league and asked fans which team they would like to see the Bangladesh pacer represent.
'The wait is over," the post read. "Taskin Ahmed has officially registered for the Afghanistan Premier League. Which team would you like to see him represent?"
