“He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A Dark Knight.” The dialogue from The Dark Knight has often been used to describe many cricketers over the years. In Bangladesh cricket, the words fit Taijul Islam almost perfectly. On Tuesday and Wednesday in Sylhet, the 34 year old left arm spinner once again stood as Bangladesh’s guardian when his team needed him most.
Taijul finished the second Test against Pakistan with nine wickets. The batters he dismissed had scored a combined 275 runs, averaging 30.55. These were mostly the wickets of set batters who had already spent time at the crease, scored 30 odd runs on average and looked settled.
Pakistan were given a huge target of 437 in the fourth innings, a number never chased successfully in Test cricket. Yet they looked determined.
After the departure of the two openers, the experienced Babar Azam and Shan Masood put together a partnership of 92 runs. Taijul dismissed both of them, though not with anything too special.
However, the next set batter he dismissed came through a peach of a delivery. Salman Ali Agha was on 71 after facing 101 deliveries and looked well settled. The 101st ball he faced was bowled by Taijul, and it turned 4.7° outside the off stump. The next one, however, turned only 1.3° after pitching on off stump, went through bat and pad, and crashed into the stumps. Bangladesh suddenly had their confidence back.
On the fifth morning, Sajid Khan was batting alongside the well-set Rizwan. Sajid looked more aggressive than Rizwan himself and used the pace of Taskin Ahmed brilliantly. The partnership looked confident and Pakistan were only 78 runs away from making history.
Then Taijul did what he does best. His delivery that turned 6° outside off stump was enough to take the edge of Sajid’s bat and end his innings on 28 from 36 balls. Pakistan could not score another run in the match after that. In a matter of moments, confidence and hope turned into despair.
Taijul did not win the Player of the Match award despite scoring 16 and a valuable 22 in the two innings and finishing off with a bowling figure of 6/120 in 34.2 overs in the second innings. He was awarded the Most Valuable Bangladeshi Player of the Match instead.
Bangladesh completed their first home Test series sweep over Pakistan. Taijul Islam, often called ‘TJ’ by teammates, stands as Bangladesh’s highest wicket taker in Tests with 263 wickets after having extended his lead. He is one five-wicket haul short of levelling Shakib Al Hasan, who has 19 of them in Tests. Numbers will remember him for that.
But Sylhet reminded everyone that when Bangladesh need someone to protect them in red ball cricket, Taijul Islam quietly answers the call.
