Bangladesh paceman Taskin Ahmed took to Facebook to address rumours and misinformation surrounding his absence from the team bus on the morning of the T20 World Cup game against India.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official told the media on 2 July that Taskin missed the game because he overslept.
Taskin, however, clarified in his Facebook post, "My non-selection in the final team was a decision by the team management. It was for getting the right team combination and had nothing to do with my failure to get on the team bus."
Taskin's post comes after a disappointing World Cup campaign for Bangladesh, who lost all three of their Super Eights matches.
Meanwhile, the media frenzy has shifted focus from the team's poor performance in the Super Eights to Taskin's oversleeping incident.
In his detailed Facebook post, Taskin wrote:
"I have come to know through various online news that a huge outcry is being made of an incident which occurred during the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Firstly, I would like everyone to know that most of the news and information which is being spread are nothing more than rumours and I would hope that the fans treat it as the same.
Secondly, I would like to clarify what actually happened on the day of the incident.
I admit I woke up later than usual and something for which I have already apologized to the entire team and management.
I woke at 8:37 am and went to the lobby at 8:43 am and as soon as my ride was ready I left our hotel at 9:00 am. I entered the stadium at 9:40 am, 20 minutes before the match toss at 10:00 am. We sang the national anthem at 10:15 am and the match started at 10:30 am.
It's quite unfortunate that these so-called sports journalists are printing news based on rumours and without verification and trying to tarnish my image as a player of the national cricket team. Those who know me know how much I love our country and how dedicated, passionate and proud I am to represent Bangladesh. I know I have made an honest mistake by not getting on the team bus on time, but I was at the stadium before the toss. My lack of selection in the final team was a team management call based on getting the right combination and had nothing to do with my failure to be on the team bus.
I, therefore, hope the media and sports journalists take more caution before writing fabricated stories and creating a toxic environment. This not only hurts us as players but also our country's image as a whole. I believe we all expect ethical and professional journalism to move forward as a nation.
In the future, I will address frivolous issues like this legally to ensure no one tries to malign my reputation or integrity as a sportsman or a human being. Thanks to all my fans for their constant support."
