Bangladesh pace bowler Khaled Ahmed can be considered the only positive for Bangladesh in what has otherwise been a disappointing Test series so far against West Indies. Khaled, who was in the spotlight after picking three quick wickets against the hosts on the opening day of the Test, was eventually rewarded for his perseverance as he earned his maiden five-wicket haul on the third day in St Lucia.
Khaled made a name for himself against South Africa in the Durban Test but hardly looked impressive in the following Test series against Sri Lanka at home. He can consider himself lucky given that if Taskin Ahmed, who missed the Test series due to injury was available, then he might not have been picked in the playing XI.
Khaled picked two wickets on the second day but skipper Shakib al Hasan decided to use him at a stretch from one end after the third day's play resumed where he was able to get a little bit of bounce along with movement.
He repaid the faith of his captain by picking the required three wickets that included denying Kyle Mayers a well-deserved 150, undone by an off-cutter in his second over after a rain break.
"Every wicket is special for me because this is the first time I am picking a five-for. I felt really happy after picking Mayers's wicket because I was trying to get him out from yesterday. Today I got him with my slower ball and it felt good because I could pick him after implementing my plan," Khaled said after the game on Sunday (June 26).
During the brief morning session when 11 overs could be bowled before rain interrupted proceedings, Khaled picked his first of the three wickets by having Alzarri Joseph caught at midwicket while he registered his maiden five-wicket haul by taking the healthy edge off Jayden Seales that also marked the end of his uninterrupted 10.3-over spell from one end.
"I tried a lot of times to pick five wickets and I had a chance before (in Durban) but only managed to achieve it this time around. I am hopeful that I can do it on a consistent basis," he said, adding that he is confident that though they are going through some tough times in the longer format it will not take time for them to change their fortunes.
"Every player wishes that his milestone could be an impactful one and it helps the team. In Test cricket, we are not probably going through a good time but in the future, there will be a lot of times when you will find that we are doing good. It's not that someone is not trying; everyone is trying to express themselves. We have a lot of areas to improve like bowling batting and fielding and our management is really working hard behind us. Everyone is trying and I am hopeful we will have a good time going forward," he concluded.
