Rangana Herath, Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach, acknowledged left-arm spinner Taijul Islam’s status as the team’s spin attack commander.
Herath hailed Taijul’s expertise after Bangladesh took eight wickets on Day Two of the first Test against New Zealand on Wednesday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, reducing the visitors to 266 for eight in response to Bangladesh’s 310-run first innings total.
“Taijul is constantly assisting the onslaught. He is our top spinner. He put a lot of strain on New Zealand. He made numerous angles. He possesses a wealth of experience, knowledge, and comprehension. “I’m overjoyed that he got four wickets today,” Herath told reporters on Wednesday.
“Whether Shakib is playing or not, Taijul plays an important role for us.” He takes on both offensive and defensive duties. He constantly relies on his length and line’, he noted.
Taijul Islam got things started for Bangladesh when Kiwi opener Tom Latham scooped one up to short-fine leg while trying to scoop in the early session.
He dismissed Daryl Mitchell with the old ball, who tried to take the attack to the bowlers with a 54-ball 41. He enticed the right-handed batter to skip down the wicket, causing it to turn sharply away, leaving Mitchell stranded as wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan whipped out the bails.
When Bangladesh chose to take the new ball immediately 80 overs into the day, Taijul returned to claim the prized scalp of centurion Kane Williamson and then removed Ish Sodhi two overs later to finish the day with four wickets.
Herath’s contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board expires tomorrow, therefore today was his last day working for the national team.