Most of Bangladesh’s bowlers were ineffective against the South African batting unit, except left-arm orthodox spinner Taijul Islam and pacer Ebadot Hossain in the first innings of SA vs BAN second Test 2022. The hosts were watchful against Taijul, as his bowling stats showed that he was the most economical bowler among the Bangladesh players. Taijul took 6 wickets in the innings, becoming the second Bangladesh bowler to collect 150 Test wickets, by exerting pressure on the Proteas batters. Let’s take a look at Taijul Islam’s Test career at a glance.

Taijul Islam’s Milestones in the First Innings of South Africa-Bangladesh Second Test

Taijul Islam’s brilliant accuracy put pressure on the Proteas batters. However, Bangladesh couldn’t capitalize on Taijul’s effective bowling because of a lack of pressure from the other end. Taijul Islam finished his spell with a 6/135 after 50 overs of bowling. It showed what a marathon spell he had during the first innings of the match. Take a look at the records Taijul grasped during South Africa’s first innings of SA vs BAN second Test 2022.

150 Test Wickets

Taijul Islam’s bowling stats in the longer-version format has been brilliant. He has picked up 150 wickets in 61 Test innings with an average of 32.21. He became the second Bangladesh player, after Shakib Al Hasan, to pick up 150 Test wickets.

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Top Five Wicket Takers in Test for Bangladesh (as of April 09, 2022)

   Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

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Sixth Bangladesh Player to take Six-Wicket in an Innings in abroad 

Taijul Islam became the sixth Bangladeshi bowler to take six wickets in an away Test innings. Bangladeshi players had previously taken six wickets in foreign venues five times. Shakib Al Hasan is among them, with two six-wickets in an innings.

Six Wickets haul in an innings by Bangladesh players (Away Test)

   Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

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Second spinner to take fifer at St George's Park, Gqeberha

Before this SA vs BAN second Test 2022, only one spinner picked a fifer at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha. South Africa's off-spinner, Hugh Joseph Tayfield, snatched 6/78 wickets against England in 1957. 65 years later, Taijul Islam became the second spinner to snatch a fifer on this ground.

Bangladesh's second bowler to take six wickets in South Africa

In 2008, ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan bagged six wickets in an innings against the hosts in South Africa. 14 years later, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam became the second Bangladesh bowler to scalp six wickets in an innings in South Africa.

Bottom Line

Taijul Islam’s personal achievements have been overshadowed by South Africa’s commanding first-innings total. It would have been much better if Bangladesh had restricted South Africa to around 300 runs in order to stay firm in the game. However, Bangladesh still has a chance to make a comeback if the batters do their part in both the innings of the SA vs BAN second Test 2022. Hopefully, Taijul Islam will fire up in South Africa’s second innings just like he did in the first innings. 

Read Taijul bags six, South Africa end on 453