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Beyond the spotlight: A decade of consistency and brilliance of Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam

Shreyasi

Taijul Islam's record-breaking moment [Source: X/@BCBtigers]Taijul Islam's record-breaking moment [Source: X/@BCBtigers]

The second Test match of the series between Bangladesh and Ireland became a special one for the hosts. They recorded a 2-0 series win over the tourists with a 217-run win at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

Mushfiqur Rahim, playing his 100th Test match, became just the 12th man in the history of Test cricket to score a ton in his hundredth Test match. Expectedly, he was also adjudged the Player of the match.

The Irish demolition: Taijul moves to the top surpassing Shakib

Another player who stole the limelight was Taijul Islam. Known for his quiet demeanor and focused approach, the left-arm spinner typically remains far from all the hype.

However, when you break the record for the highest number of Test wickets for your country and become the first Bangladeshi bowler to reach the 250-wicket milestone, you are bound to grab the widespread attention.

Taijul got the Player of the Series award after claiming 13 wickets across two Test matches. However, the true victory lay deeper for Taijul. The recognition is secondary to the personal triumph that reflects his dedication and hard work over the past twelve years.

Memorable debut followed by limited opportunities and unlimited grinding

A classical left-arm spinner Taijul, made his Test debut in 2014 in the West Indies. This was the period when Shakib Al Hasan was the primary left-arm spinner for Bangladesh. Taijul got an opportunity in his absence and immediately made his mark with a 5-wicket haul in his first innings despite a thrashing by the hosts.

Even though Shakib was back after a month in the home Test against Zimbabwe, Taijul held his place and delivered another match winning performance with 9 wickets in his first match at home.

However, playing two left-arm spinners was a luxury for Bangladesh, especially on away tours. Taijul’s opportunities were limited. As Shakib Al Hasan was a mainstay for Bangladesh during 2015-16, Taijul featured only in six Test matches.

The story began to change once Shakib became irregular in Tests. Taijul seized the chance and started to establish himself as a regular face in the Bangladesh Test squad from 2017-18. His place in the team was solidified, and he never looked back.

The silent destroyer of Bangladesh: A formidable spin wizard

For Bangladesh, Taijul became a key weapon in the spin-friendly conditions of Mirpur. Out of his 57 Test matches, he played 39 at home and picked up 194 wickets.

His home bowling average is 27.70, nearly 15 runs lower compared to the away average. Twelve of his 17 5-wicket hauls have come in home Tests, testifying to his status as a formidable force for Bangladesh, especially at home.

Taijul’s moment of glory came against New Zealand in the 2023 Test series. His 10-wicket haul helped Bangladesh register a 150-run win. The highlight of his performance was dismissing Kane Williamson in both innings.

The perfect co-star who waited for the plot to change

For his initial years, Taijul was overshadowed by Shakib Al Hasan. No wonder Bangladesh cricket was dominated by the brilliance of one man, Shakib Al Hasan, one of the best all-rounders in world cricket. 

Shakib deservingly consumed all the spotlight with his every wicket and boundary. Taijul was a co-star, without whom the film would not have in the same. For Taijul, it was not easy to instantly get the hype and grab the attention. 

But that did not stop him from working hard with relentless dedication and unwavering commitment. With time, Taijul became the leader of the pack for Bangladesh and delivered some outstanding performances.

When Taijul surpassed his hero, Shakib Al Hasan

Taijul, inspired by his idol Shakib, finally achieved a feat that his hero could not. He surpassed Shakib’s record in the second Test against Ireland. Shakib's long-standing record of 246 Test wickets came in 71 matches, whereas Taijul claimed 250 wickets in just 57 Tests.

The moment arrived with a classical spinner's dismissal, and the crowd cheered. It was not just for the wicket or the historic moment, it was for the history maker, the dependable yet rarely celebrated destroyer for Bangladesh cricket, who kept his head down, perfecting his skills year after year.

Finally, the silent consistency became too loud to ignore.