From quiet mainstay to sharing the summit

Bangla Press Desk:   For over a decade, Bangladesh’s spin attack often revolved around Shakib Al Hasan. Yet behind the headlines, another left-arm spinner, Taijul Islam, has quietly forged his own legacy. Since his debut in 2014, Taijul has grown into Bangladesh’s linchpin in the Test attack, leading the spin department with consistency, control, and impact.

On Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Taijul added a monumental chapter to his career by becoming Bangladesh’s joint-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket — joining the legendary Shakib — on the third day of the one-off Test against Ireland.

Taijul claimed two key wickets late in the first session before bowling Matthew Humphreys to end Ireland’s innings on 265. The left-arm spinner finished with 4-76 from 35.3 overs, including six maidens, taking his Test tally to 246 wickets in 57 matches and moving level with Shakib atop Bangladesh’s all-time list. 

Earlier on Thursday, he had dismissed Harry Tector. On the third morning, Lorcan Tucker and Stephen Doheny tried to rebuild with an 81-run stand, but Taijul broke the partnership by bowling Doheny for 46. One ball later, he cleaned up Andy McBrine to tighten Bangladesh’s grip.

Taijul may lack Shakib’s spotlight or flamboyance, but he is renowned for carrying Bangladesh through crucial phases, often single-handedly controlling the middle overs. Whether playing alongside Shakib or leading the attack in his absence, he has proven that consistency, discipline, and quiet determination can build a legacy as formidable as any superstar’s.

And the numbers bear that out.

Taijul’s rise has been gradual but decisive. In the early phase of his career — from his debut until the 2017 South Africa tour — he played 15 Tests, taking 54 wickets in 28 innings at an average of 34.09. During the same period, Shakib featured in 17 matches, taking 66 wickets in 30 innings at 30.48, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz appeared in nine Tests with 43 wickets at 31.34. 

Taijul was learning the ropes, sharing duties, and proving his potential in Bangladesh’s spin arsenal.

The turning point came after the 2017 South Africa tour. With Shakib playing less frequently in Tests, Taijul stepped into the lead role. Since then, he has played 42 Tests, taking 192 wickets in 73 innings at an average of 30.31. Mehidy, over the same period, has taken 166 wickets in 80 innings from 47 matches, while Shakib — appearing in fewer matches (20 Tests, 35 innings) — has claimed 58 wickets at 29.62. Nayeem Hasan, another spinner in the mix, has 48 wickets in 25 innings from 14 matches. 

These stats highlight Taijul’s consistency and the heavy workload he has shouldered for Bangladesh.

Since Shakib’s irregular appearances, Taijul has clearly become the team’s main spinner. In the 31 Tests Shakib missed, Taijul has taken 152 wickets in 52 innings at an average of 29.34 — numbers that underline his leadership in the bowling attack. Over his 11-year career, he has recorded 17 five-wicket hauls, two ten-wicket match hauls, and a career-best 8 for 39, maintaining an overall economy rate of 3.05.

Taijul believes he has earned his own place in Bangladesh cricket history.

“Taijul is in his own place,” he said after the day’s play. 

“Now, why these questions keep coming up to me, I don't know either. But as you see, if I talk only about myself, that also won't be right. Because the senior brothers we had before, who played with us for a long time, when you become a senior player, there are many things to give to the team. That can be motivating the juniors, or talking about the seniors' experience. This actually helps a lot for junior players or upcoming players,” he added.

“So, I think we got this from Shakib bhai — that our juniors who came, or those who have been playing for a long time, they got a lot of experience. Shakib bhai, Mushfiq bhai, Tamim bhai, Riyad bhai, whoever was there — actually, a team will only be stable when everyone has a good bonding with each other. I think the seniors did those things. And as Taijul, actually, your name will only come up when you perform. And I think that's the main point: I am performing, that's why I am being carried. When I don't perform, maybe my name won't come up, and I won't be able to carry on this far,” he explained.

When asked about being labelled ‘underrated,’ Taijul was denied it right away. 

“No, no, there’s really nothing to answer here. First of all, I focus on performance. I always say this: as long as you play, your performance is the main issue. This ‘underrated’ tag often comes up when I speak to the media at press conferences. Personally, I think it’s better if such things don’t come up repeatedly. Because this issue isn’t really raised by anyone else — maybe it spreads through the media. The more this word is mentioned, the more it actually spreads. So, I believe it’s better not to spread these kinds of things.”

At 33, Taijul has no intention of slowing down. He wants to keep taking wickets for his country for as long as he can. 

“No, if Allah gives me 700, I am willing to take 700,” he said when asked about his ambitions in Test cricket.

From supporting spinner to main man, Taijul’s journey is a testament to patience, resilience, and mastery — a story of Bangladesh cricket’s evolving spin identity, one wicket at a time.

BP/SP