¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

Taijul Islam agreed with Tamim Iqbal’s opinion that he was ‘the most underrated bowler in the world at the moment’.

The left-arm spinner also hit back at his critics after taking a five-wicket haul on the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on Monday.

Former Bangladesh national team captain Tamim praised Taijul in a Facebook post, citing the spinner as the most underrated in the world. When his attention was drawn to this and he was asked his opinion in the press conference, Taijul said, ‘Yes, I think so.’

The 33-year-old, though, didn’t want to give a reason why he thought that way. He simply said, ‘Because… you know the reason better than me.’

Taijul, who has so far 224 wickets in 52 matches, spent most of his career under the shadow of Shakib Al Hasan. But he now wants to create his own path.

‘Every player dreams of becoming the best of the best,’ said Taijul after the day’s play in Chattogram.

 ‘A player won’t get satisfaction until he goes a long way. I will try. It’s not like I have to get past Shakib bhai. Shakib Bhai has done so many things. And he will do so in the future, inshaallah. I hope that everyone does well.’ 

Taijul had a rough first Test against Zimbabwe, where he took two wickets across two innings. 

‘Obviously this [getting a fifer] is satisfactory. Because when you play 50 Tests and then bowl like I did in Sylhet, it is not a good thing. Such bowling after playing so many Tests! But the most important thing is I was able to help the team,’ said Taijul.

But he then took a bash at his critics. ‘I don’t think those who criticise a player—who played so many matches and alhamdulillah, took a number of wickets—after only watching a match, understand the game,’ said Taijul. 

He also said that his routine helped him to stay focused. 

‘Every player has that motive to do well,’ said Taijul. ‘The most important thing for a player is discipline. I try to maintain my routine. You may not always get the results. But it will help your career.’ 

Taijul, meanwhile, got the praise from the opposition camp too. 

‘Taijul bowled really well today,’ said the assistant coach of Zimbabwe, Dion Ebrahim. ‘He found the right pace for this pitch, and once spinners find that rhythm, it naturally creates more pressure on the batters.’