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Uncertainty over the future of Najmul Hossain Shanto as the Bangladesh captain grew as the hosts looked to save the series against South Africa in the second Test, which begins at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

The October sun was scorching when Bangladesh cut short their scheduled practice at the same venue on Monday. Several players, like Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, were missing as they took a rest. 

The reporters, who came to cover the match, were expecting Shanto in the pre-match press conference after the practice, as it is kind of a norm that the coach or the captain would attend such press-meets. 

But it was Taijul Islam, the senior left-arm spinner, who came to attend it. He denied the speculations surrounding Shanto by saying that he didn’t know anything regarding the issue as he was not part of the management. 

‘When there’s a management or board meeting, we, the players, aren’t involved. Decisions like who the captain or coach will be are not part of our roles,’ he said.

Taijul, the second highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh, though, finished the press conference by giving the biggest headline of the day. He was asked whether he was ready to step in if he was asked to take the captaincy. 

‘Having played for 10 years, I’m fully prepared’, Taijul said in answer. 

Taijul, who played under six different captains in his 10-year career, said that he was already helping others if asked to. 

‘How much someone takes from me matters— whether as a team-mate or the people of my country,’ he said.

‘I feel that when different situations arise on the field, if a spinner is bowling, for example, field positioning or how to set up a batter, the captain sometimes asks me, and I try to help’, he added. 

Earlier, there were reports that Shanto wanted to quit the captaincy after this series, and he conveyed his message to the board. 

He was seen to bat in the nets on Monday. Even BCB posted a video of his practice on their social media handles. 

Bangladesh began the series in a turmoil state as several incidents off the field became the talking points. 

First, former head coach Chandika Hathurusingha was sacked by the BCB over disciplinary grounds.

Phil Simmons was appointed in an interim capacity even before Hathurusingha’s contracts were terminated by the BCB. 

Then there were uncertainties over Shakib Al Hasan, who intended to play his farewell Test at Mirpur. But protests against him led the government to advise him not to come. 

The hosts then suffered a humiliating defeat to South Africa, who had been winless in the sub-continent for 10 years. 

Taijul, though, admitted that the off-field incidents might have affected some players. 

‘This is a team game. The most important thing is that the team remains in good condition. Some players may be affected by outside events, while others can continue their role with calmness,’ he said.

‘Personally, I try to stay relaxed and focus on my work. But within a team, I can’t say how each person reacts; everyone’s mindset is different. We’re not involved in management or board meetings’, he added. 

Even South African captain Aiden Markram was asked about it. 

‘I have actually got no idea, to be honest’, Markram replied. 

‘I’m not sure how the environment is and what’s going on there. So, it’s not for me to comment on things like that if it does give you an advantage or not. But again, a lot of our focus is on our team and trying to play a good game of cricket’, he added. 

On the field, batting will be the main concern for Bangladesh as the top six batters failed to put on substantial performances on a challenging surface at Mirpur. 

Taijul saw an opportunity for the batters in Chattogram as the wicket was expected to be true and batting-friendly. 

‘We haven’t performed on the level expected as a team, although some have had individual performances in different matches.’

‘If we can build two or three partnerships in a game and one or two players score a century, our target will be much bigger. Everyone’s working hard and is fully committed. In sha Allah, we’ll try to do well in this match.’

Both teams played with only four specialist bowlers in the first Test. Bangladesh had only one pacer in Hasan Mahmud. But with the conditions expected in Chattogram, both teams might opt to put on an extra-bowler.