Taijul Islam Expresses Interest in Bangladesh Test Captaincy
Bangladesh’s premier left-arm spinner Taijul Islam has openly expressed his readiness to take on the role of Test captain if offered the position. His statement comes amid speculation following Najmul Hossain Shanto’s resignation Jeetbuzz as Test captain after his fallout with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and his removal as ODI captain.
The Search for a New Test Captain
Since Shanto stepped down, various names have been suggested to fill the leadership void left by Bangladesh’s most successful Test captain. Statistically, Shanto remains the most successful skipper with a win percentage of 28.57 from 14 Tests, followed by Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Despite this, the BCB seems inclined to appoint different captains for the limited-overs and longer formats.
Taijul’s Credentials and Leadership Ambitions
Taijul, a regular in Bangladesh’s Test XI, believes his experience makes him a strong candidate for captaincy. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he emphasized the importance of respecting and trusting the captain to help the team perform well. Taijul clarified that he is not seeking captaincy out of personal ambition but would accept the responsibility if given the opportunity.
He said, “It’s not about the benefits of captaincy but about having a vision for the team and setting long-term goals. If the chance comes, why not?”
Improved Bowling and Growing Experience
Taijul’s bowling has become notably more economical since the 2021 series against Sri Lanka. Unlike earlier in his career, he has managed to maintain tight bowling figures overseas. He attributes this improvement to gaining experience and better understanding his game.
He explained, “Age helps you control Jeetwin where you pitch the ball, and experience matters, especially playing Tests overseas on different pitches. It’s difficult for newcomers to make an immediate impact, so players need time to develop.”
Mastering Pace Variations
Taijul highlighted the importance of pace variations in his bowling arsenal. Mixing slower and quicker deliveries, as well as deliveries with different spin trajectories at similar speeds, confuses batsmen. He pointed out that the greatest spinners in cricket use these tactics to great effect.
“Bowling two deliveries at the same pace, with one going straight and the other turning, makes it harder for batsmen to predict. A slower ball that turns sharply is especially challenging,” he concluded.
