'Not a paddy field': Taskin savours Australia series win on sporting wicket

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed took a swipe at critics on Thursday, insisting that his side's historic ODI series win over Australia had come on a sporting wicket in Mirpur and not on a "paddy field".

Bangladesh's home successes against major teams have often been downplayed because of traditionally low and slow surfaces. Critics have regularly pointed to pitch conditions when assessing wins over Australia, New Zealand, and England.

However, Bangladesh moved away from that template this time. Unlike the T20I series in 2021, when they triumphed on underprepared surfaces, the hosts produced a sporting wicket for the ongoing ODI series against the six-time world champions.

"This time no one can say anything about the wicket. We're playing on a good wicket. It's not a paddy field, okay? We're playing on a good wicket and beating a good team. So it's a great achievement," Taskin told reporters after the win.

"Alhamdulillah, it's a great feeling. It feels really good," he added.

Australia recovered from 0 for 3 to post a competitive total before Bangladesh completed the chase comfortably, prompting Taskin to once again highlight the quality of the surface.

"They put together a partnership after that, but we managed to break it. It's a great feeling to do well against Australia," he said.

"Actually, we were on the field, so we didn't get many chances to look at things that way. Every over starts anew. We were all trying to finish the job as quickly as possible."

Taskin also suggested that Bangladesh's growing pace-bowling resources could force visiting teams to rethink preparing seaming wickets against them in the future.

"I believe we're performing at a level worthy of being in the top three," he said.

"If Allah keeps everyone healthy and in rhythm, then we can do well. But perhaps teams will think twice before preparing seaming wickets. At least a little bit."

Taskin credited Bangladesh's recent improvement to a conscious effort by both the players and the Bangladesh Cricket Board to move away from extreme surfaces and play on pitches that better replicate conditions around the world.

"As a team, we've been gradually growing over the last year. We're improving by playing on better wickets and in better conditions because our goal is only one thing: to perform well in major tournaments," he said.

"We still haven't managed that properly. That's why the board and players together want us to develop our skills and adaptability by playing in good conditions. In Australia or South Africa, wherever we play, there will definitely be extra bounce. The more we play on good wickets like these, the easier it will be to adapt. I'm sure it will help us in the future."

Taskin described the series triumph over Australia as one of the most memorable achievements of his career.

"It's very memorable. Not just for me, but for everyone. Because this is the first time we've won a series against them," he said.

"The comforting thing is that we've won while playing on a good wicket and by playing good cricket. Maybe they're missing three or four players, but Australia still has the ability to play good cricket on good wickets. We won by playing good cricket, and that's the most satisfying part."