Sports Desk

Bangladesh’s spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath believes that left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is their leading spin attack regardless of whether Shakib Al Hasan plays in the Test or not.

Taijul proved his credentials in the opening Test against New Zealand as he led the spin attack from the front in the absence of Shakib and grabbed 4-89 on the second day of the two-match series opener at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

The visitors reached 266-8 at stumps on the second day and are still trailing 44 runs in the first innings, courtesy of the combined bowling effort of the host spinners.

“Taijul is always helping the attack. He is our leading spinner. He created a lot of pressure (on New Zealand). He created a lot of angles. He has great experience, knowledge and understanding. I am so happy that he took four wickets today,” Herath said after the end of the day’s play on Wednesday.

“Taijul plays a big role for us regardless of whether Shakib plays or not. He plays both attacking and defensive roles. He is always relying on his line and length,” he said, adding that off-spinner Nayeem Hasan also managed to keep his nerve despite making a comeback after one and a half years.

“Nayeem is playing after a few years actually. So it was very important that he bowled well today. He created some good pressure as well. I noticed that he got confidence by bowling a good line and length. He is a good prospect for Bangladesh,” he said.

“I think the spinners bowled well. We could have created some more pressure. We took eight wickets in the end, so it was a good day for us,” he said.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Kane Williamson, who struck a brilliant 104 runs on the day, also hailed the Bangladeshi spinners’ effort in the innings.

“They (spinners) are very familiar with these conditions. They are very accurate. They all ask different questions. They were all outstanding today. They asked a lot of questions. They taught a lot of lessons as well to play in this part of this world,” said Williamson.

Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Luke Ronchi still hopes to take the first-innings lead over Bangladesh.

“I have that belief in them and everyone else in the changing room has belief in each other. So, we can definitely do something like that( taking a lead),” he said, adding that he is not disappointed that his batters were gone out playing shots as that is the nature of the game.

“The guys have their options and how they want to score and put the opposition under some pressure. So, you’ve gotta, I guess, live by the sword, die by the sword when you play some of those shots sometimes,” he added.