No Taijul spin in Sylhet?

Taijul Islam, Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker, is facing the prospect of being dropped for the Sylhet Test as the team management weighs concerns over his recent bowling form.

With 275 wickets from 64 Tests, the left-arm spinner is closing in on the landmark of 300 Test wickets, which would make him the first Bangladeshi to reach the milestone. However, his recent performances have raised questions about his place in the side.

Taijul has struggled for wickets since taking seven in an innings against Zimbabwe in Harare last June. Across his next four Tests, he has managed just five wickets at an average of 82.2.

Against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, he conceded 156 runs for one wicket. In the most recent Mirpur Test against West Indies, he gave away 130 runs for two wickets, despite the pitch offering considerable turn to spinners from the second day.

Bangladesh had prepared a spin-friendly surface but still suffered defeat, leaving the team's spinners under scrutiny. Taijul, in particular, has faced more questions over his performance than Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nayeem Hasan.

Speaking ahead of the Sylhet Test, head coach Phil Simmons admitted that he was concerned about Taijul’s form.

“It is a big concern because he is one of the main spinners in our team. When you talk about his form, you realise that it is a concern for him as well as for the team, because he is one of our main weapons,” Simmons said.

Asked whether Bangladesh were considering leaving Taijul out, Simmons did not rule out the possibility of playing two off-spinners, Miraz and Nayeem.

“It is definitely something we have to think about. When we sit down for our discussion shortly, it will have to be given serious consideration,” he said.

However, Taijul’s record at home makes a compelling case for his inclusion. In 42 home Tests, he has taken 209 wickets at an average of 27.55, including 13 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls.

The last time he was left out of a home Test was against South Africa in Mirpur in 2015.

Taijul also boasts an impressive record against West Indies, having claimed 43 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of 28.09. Sylhet, meanwhile, is his most successful Test venue, where he has taken 40 wickets in six matches at an average of 23.30.

Both of his ten-wicket match hauls have come at the venue. He took 11 wickets for 170 runs against Zimbabwe in 2018 before claiming 10 for 184 against New Zealand in 2023, a performance that helped Bangladesh secure a memorable victory.

Taijul made his Test debut against West Indies in Kingston in 2014, taking five wickets in the match. Now, against the same opponents at his most successful venue, could he find himself watching from the sidelines?

The answer will come at Thursday’s toss.