Taijul becomes Bangladesh’s top Test wicket-taker, surpassing Shakib

Bangla Press Desk:   Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam etched his name into Bangladesh cricket history on Saturday, becoming the country’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, surpassing former captain Shakib Al Hasan.

In the second innings of the Mirpur Test against Ireland, Taijul claimed the first wicket of the day, trapping captain Andy Balbirnie LBW in the sixth over, taking Bangladesh from 246 to 247. With that dismissal, he moved past Shakib’s career tally of 246 wickets, achieving the milestone in 19 fewer innings than his predecessor.

Taijul had already been joint-top with Shakib after taking four wickets in the first innings. His record-breaking feat was celebrated on-field by Mushfiqur Rahim, who lifted the spinner in his arms. Taijul later dismissed Paul Stirling, caught by Mahmudul Hasan, as Ireland’s innings faltered further.

Following Taijul and Shakib in Bangladesh’s all-time Test bowling list are Mehedi Hasan Miraz (209 wickets in 97 innings), Mohammad Rafique, and Mashrafe Mortaza, who retired in 2009 with 78 wickets.

BP/SP