Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam emerged as the hero on a day of batting sorrows for Bangladesh on day one of the first Test against visitors South Africa at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Monday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh got all-out for 106 runs with opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 30 the highest of the first innings.
Following the humiliation, Bangladesh found Taijul to the rescue with his 13th five-for in the format.
With the milestone, Taijul became the second Bangladeshi to claim 200 Test wickets and surpassed Shakib al Hasan as fastest to the milestone.
Taijul, who had dismissed Tristan Stubbs before tea, struck thrice after the break to reach the feat.
The left-arm spinner has joined Shakib in the club, who has 246 wickets in 71 Tests.
Taijul reached the milestone in his 48th Test, whereas it took Shakib 54 Tests.
Speaking to the media in Mirpur after stumps on day one, Taijul said Bangladesh can take control of the game if they can bundle out the Proteas cheaply.
At the end of the first day, South Africa finished with 34-run lead losing six wickets.
“Since it spun on the first day, it will naturally spin more with each passing day. We will try to bundle them out as quickly as possible. If they build a big partnership, it will be bad for us. They already have some runs' lead. The match will be in our hands if we can get them out soon,” said Taijul.
Taijul faced quite a number of questions related to Shakib who was denied from playing the ongoing Test which was to be the latter’s farewell game in Test cricket.
Taijul said he is joyous to clinch the feat.
“Definitely, it is something to feel happy about. There may be a number of bowlers in world cricket who have 200 wickets in Test cricket, even 300-400 wickets. We, the Bangladesh players, haven't played Tests for that long otherwise many of us would reach the milestone,” said Taijul.
Talking on Shakib’s absence in the game, Taijul said: “It is very normal for one to come and other to leave. [A player can serve] 10 years, 15 years, maximum 20 years. We have to accept the fact. There is no doubt that he [Shakib] was a very good player for the team but at end of the day we all will expect to have another player like him.
“There have been many occasions when Shakib was not part of the team but the team did well. We won Test in New Zealand, Shakib bhai was not part of it. We won against the same opponent at home, Shakib was not there too. So, there are many examples like these. You cannot make a player play 50 years.”