Exclusive: How Taijul Islam Is Silently Climbing into Bangladesh Cricket History

In an era of flamboyant celebrations and wicket-hunting aggression, Bangladesh's Taijul Islam remains refreshingly understated - a quiet craftsman of his trade.

With 237 Test wickets, just nine short of overtaking Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in the format, Taijul could have been chasing headlines. But for him, bowling isn't about numbers or drama - it’s about rhythm, partnership, and patience.

The left-arm spinner spoke exclusively to Sports Boom, revealing how his philosophy of doing “just enough” continues to define his success.

‘I DON’T BOWL TO GET WICKETS’

Taijul said that he just wants to continue and see where he ends up in his career.

“I am a firm believer of destiny and so I will grab that many wickets which are written in my fate,” Taijul told SportsBoom.com. 

“If you try to take wickets as a bowler, it would be difficult. But when you build a partnership in bowling and stop run flow – suppose you concede 15 or 20 runs from 10 overs instead of 30 in Test cricket – the batters fall in pressure, and may try to do something different. That’s when the wickets may come."

“So, bowling partnership is very important in Test cricket especially to get wickets,” he added. 

PACE VARIATIONS IS KEY FOR SPINNERS IN MODERN DAY TEST CRICKET

Taijul added that in the present context, pace variation is one of the key components for spinners as that helps to create doubts in the minds of batsmen despite playing on wickets conducive to scoring runs.

“Pace variation is definitely important. If you can bowl a slower, then a quicker, it will confuse the batters. Besides, if you can bowl two deliveries at the same pace, one turning and the other one going straight, it will be much difficult for the batters."

"The greatest spinners of the world do it. They may bowl two deliveries at 85 or 90 kph, one going straight and the other one turning. Normally, if the delivery is quicker, it goes straight. But the same delivery, slower, will turn in or out, and it will be so difficult."

“Look, spinners will not get assists from each and every pitch. In cases of not getting assisted by the pitches, you would need pace variations. You cannot bowl each delivery at the same pace."

When you have pace variation as well as the ability to spin the ball, you may concede 30 to 40 runs from 10 overs instead of 60 or 70, or you will pick up two wickets for 50 runs. But if you don’t have the pace variation, you may concede 70 or 80,” he said.

MUSHFIQUR RAHIM HELPED HIM BOWL LONG SPELLS

Taijul, who is known to bowl long spells in Test cricket, credited Mushfiqur Rahim for helping him develop the habit, as he felt bowling for long durations in the nets proved to be a dividend in this regard.

“I had the habit of bowling long spells since the beginning of my career. I regularly used to bowl for around two hours. It grew a habit in me to bowl long spells, as well as adding variations. For example, when you start walking in the morning, your body is not fully active, but after five minutes of walking, your body becomes active."

"Similarly in bowling, after warming up, you can add whatever variations you want. Moreover, when you are senior day by day, you can adapt to the variations easily and quickly. So, I grew the habit of bowling long spells first and then added the variations."

“Definitely Mushfiqur bhai helped me as learning to bowl long spells is concerned, because as I said, it is my old habit to bowl long spells. When I came to the national team, I saw Mushfiq bhai bats for a long time in the nets, maybe for two to three hours."

“At that time, seeing Mushfiq bhai batting well against spin, the idea came to my mind to bowl to an international-standard player like him. When a batter bats in the nets, he has some setups and plans. I bowled to him with my plans to get him dismissed. This habit of bowling long spells and restricting the batters helped me in international cricket a lot,” he added.

While Taijul may shy away from grand targets or self-promotion, his methods are slowly pushing him towards history. With the 300-wicket milestone within touching distance, he’s carving out a legacy through simplicity, control, and quiet consistency.

In a format where patience often trumps flair, Taijul’s subtle art of doing just enough may just be the most effective path to greatness.