Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has expressed grave concerns over the current form of Taijul Islam, the team’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. As Bangladesh prepares for the second and final Test against the West Indies in Sylhet, following a significant eight-wicket loss in Dhaka, Taijul’s place in the team appears uncertain.
Taijul has managed only five wickets in his last four Tests, after taking an impressive 7 for 138 against Zimbabwe back in July. His performance has been hampered by a recurring left shoulder injury, contributing to his recent struggles.
Simmons, concerned about Taijul’s diminished impact, mentioned, “It’s hugely concerning because he’s one of the major spinners we have in the team. When you’re discussing [Taijul’s form] with him, it is concerning for him too, as well as for the team, because he is a major weapon that we have in this team.”
The possible exclusion of the 34-year-old from the upcoming Test raises the prospect of Bangladesh fielding a team without a left-arm spinner. Simmons acknowledged this prospect, stating, “[That] is something that you have to think about, when we talk in a little while.”
However, the team’s batting presents an even larger issue. Bangladesh’s failure to perform with the bat since their victory in the Darwin Test has been significant. Since their triumph in August, the team has struggled, losing two matches in the Asian Games, all their games in the UAE ODI tri-series, and the first Test against the West Indies.
“Since Darwin, we haven’t batted well,” Simmons commented. “We showed what we are capable of there if the determination to bat is there, but since that [Darwin Test], we have not batted well in the formats we have played.”
Simmons remains hopeful, saying, “The guys have been working hard. They are working in the same intensity and the same way they worked before Darwin. We just have to make sure that we get to that level again where we put it in place in the match and not just work hard outside.”
In Dhaka, Bangladesh lost 16 wickets to the spin attack of Roston Chase, Jomel Warrican, and Joshua Bishop, while their spin attack managed only eight wickets, all in the first innings. Reflecting on this, Simmons stated, “We take it upon ourselves that we didn’t bat as well as we could do. They bowled well, but again, that’s Test cricket, they are here to bowl well.”
With Mominul Haque ruled out due to a concussion, Najmul Hossain Shanto will take up the No. 3 spot, alongside the returning Mushfiqur Rahim in the middle order. Their experience will be vital on a pitch where fast bowlers could dominate.
The squad sees the inclusion of Amite Hasan, a promising talent, as Mominul’s replacement. With a standout record in domestic cricket, including a recent third first-class double-century, Hasan aspires to replicate his domestic success on the international stage.
Simmons remarked on Hasan’s inclusion, “The next step for him is that the next time he gets his chance up here, to do as well as he’s been doing at the domestic level. It’s a difference in level by some bit, but again, he goes back and he does what he needs to do there.”
As Bangladesh aims to recover in the Sylhet Test, balancing Taijul’s form and invigorating their batting line-up will be pivotal in their quest to level the series.
