Nazmul Hossain Shanto wants to leave the captaincy. Before the Bangladesh team catches the flight to Chittagong, the cricket arena is once again at the peak of discussion. Taijul Islam accelerated that discussion.
Taijul came to a press conference on Monday (October 28), the day before the second Test against South Africa. Where to come from the captain or coach. Taijul’s coming to break the tradition is a bit of an exception.
Naturally Taijul’s press conference turned out to be quiet. The same question comes back. No Bodhak wanted to avoid the answer again and again, until finally the question landed on his shoulder. He was asked, ready to take the captaincy or not?
‘Having played for 10 years, I am all set to take the captaincy,’ is the short but confident reply of the left-arm spinner.
Since Shakib Al Hasan is absent, Taijul has been in discussion since the first Test. After scoring the fastest 200-wicket haul in the first innings, former captain Tamim Iqbal said, ‘Taizul doesn’t get the respect he deserves.’ Tamim’s point was, Taijul doesn’t stay in focus with the kind of performances he does.
Coming to the press conference on this day bears the proof that Taijul is getting special importance in the team. Apart from Shakib-Tamim, Taijul is now considered as the senior cricketer in the team. As such, is it time for him to be involved in the party’s plan?
Taijul’s answer to such a question, ‘If you say personally, I can implement. But in my experience, how much you take matters; Be it teammates and be it the people of my country.’
‘I think a lot of times when it comes to different situations on the field, when I bowl or when a spinner bowls a lot of times field possession or how to set up a batter; These helps I do sometimes. The captain asks me. These opportunities come, I try’ – added Taijul.
Taijul made his debut in the elite version of cricket in Kingston in 2014 against the West Indies. He has played 48 Tests in 10 years so far. He became the second bowler after Shakib to reach the milestone of 200 wickets.
Bangladesh are trailing by 1-0 in the series after losing the Dhaka Test against the Proteas by 7 wickets. The second and last Test in Chittagong will start from tomorrow.