When Kane Williamson, the first innings centurion, returned to bat in the second innings yesterday, the stump mic caught up Bangladesh fielders yelling at Taijul Islam, ‘this is your wicket.’
Taijul has long been one of Bangladesh’s most important Test players, particularly at home. He normally bowls the lion’s share of overs during Bangladesh’s bowling innings, but with the absence of the other left-arm spinner, Shakib Al Hasan, he had to play a significant role in making his presence felt. The stump mic picked up on his teammates’ trust in him to accomplish just that.
When Shakib is in the team, Taijul is nearly always second fiddle in terms of attacking with spin, but without the ace all-rounder, Taijul’s role was more evident. He had a straightforward plan: to back up Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Nayeem Islam’s spin group.
“To be honest, I can’t do what others are doing, and others can’t do what I’m doing.” I always stick to my plan. Whether Shakib bhai is present or not, I have other spinners with me, and the plan is that someone will take wickets and someone will control the runs.
“If I wanted to limit runs, Nayeem or Miraj could have taken wickets.” “Whether we’re playing or not, what matters is that we’re playing well,” Taijul stated at the end of the day’s play.
However, Taijul has played more Tests since 2021 than Shakib. Shakib has played seven Tests since 2021, compared to Taijul’s 14 outings. Taijul’s average increased to 36.32 (from 31.58) along with his strike-rate (88 compared to a lifetime strike-rate of 63.6), while his economy rate decreased to 2.47 (from a career economy rate of 2.47), indicating that he was doing a good job limiting Shakib.
Taijul is a more attacking proposition without Shakib. In the seven games he has played with Shakib since 2021, he has taken 28 wickets. He has 43 wickets in the other seven Tests.
As a result, he was given the authority to attack and lead. In the Sylhet Test, he would dismiss the in-form Kane Willamson for the second time, this time with an arm delivery that snuck past the right-hander’s defences and smacked his pads. Williamson watched the replay but immediately began walking away.
“I have been playing for nine years and probably they had the faith that I will be able to set him (Williamson) up and get his wicket,” he went on to say.
Taijul’s job is critical even when Shakib is on the pitch. With Shakib nearing the end of his career, there is speculation that he will opt out of Tests sooner rather than later. Taijul would then have to take the lead, and he is prepared.
“If the coach and the captain give me priority certainly I will try to help,” he stated.