Taijul Islam Ties Shakib’s Record as Bangladesh Recalls Joy for Ireland Test Series

On November 21, 2025, Taijul Islam stood on the brink of cricketing history, one wicket away from becoming Bangladesh’s sole leading Test wicket-taker — and he did it in just 57 matches. That’s fewer than half the number of Tests Shakib Al Hasan needed to reach the same milestone. The moment unfolded during the second Test of the two-match series against Ireland at an undisclosed venue in Bangladesh, where Taijul’s four-wicket haul in the first innings tied Shakib’s long-standing record of 246 wickets. The twist? Taijul’s average of 31.14 and strike rate of 61.26 are the best among all Bangladeshi bowlers with 50+ wickets. He didn’t just match a legend — he did it more efficiently.

A Quiet Rise to the Top

Few expected Taijul Islam to surpass the iconic Shakib Al Hasan. The 33-year-old left-arm spinner from Natore has never been the flashiest name in Bangladesh’s lineup. But consistency, patience, and a knack for turning the ball on worn pitches have quietly built his legacy. While Shakib played 71 Tests over 19 years — juggling captaincy, all-round duties, and global T20 leagues — Taijul has been the steady hand in the background. His 246 wickets came in 101 innings. Shakib’s took 121. That difference isn’t just statistical — it’s symbolic.

By the time the Irish first innings closed, Taijul had already etched his name into the record books. He needed just one more wicket in the second innings to become Bangladesh’s undisputed king of Test wickets. The crowd, packed under a humid November sky, held its breath. This wasn’t just about numbers. It was about legacy.

The Squad That Built the Moment

The stage for this historic chase was set weeks earlier, on September 12, 2025, when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 14-member squad for the Ireland series. The headline? The return of Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the hard-hitting batter from Chittagong, recalled after a 14-month absence. No official reason was given, but insiders whispered about his recent 147 in a domestic four-day match — a performance that screamed ‘final piece of the puzzle.’

Meanwhile, Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s most capped batter, edged closer to his 100th Test. At 37, he’s the quiet anchor of this team — a man who’s seen 17 captains come and go, yet still stands tall at the crease. His presence, more than any statistic, gives this squad gravitas.

Leading the charge was Shakib Al Hasan as captain, with Litton Das as vice-captain. The irony wasn’t lost on fans: the man whose record Taijul was chasing was now the skipper, watching his own milestone slip into someone else’s hands. Shakib, ever the professional, praised Taijul in the post-session interview: “He’s been the most consistent spinner we’ve had in the last five years. If he breaks the record, it’s well deserved.”

A Series of Firsts

This two-match series against Ireland is more than a warm-up for Bangladesh’s upcoming tour of South Africa. It’s a statement. Ireland, once considered a minnow, now boasts three Test-playing nations on their resume — and they’ve won one. Their squad, led by captain Andrew Balbirnie, brought a disciplined, gritty approach that tested Bangladesh’s patience in the first Test in Sylhet — a match Bangladesh won by 178 runs.

Now, with the series tied 1-0 in Bangladesh’s favor, the second Test became a battleground for legacy. Taijul’s four wickets in the first innings gave Bangladesh a lead of 287. The Irish, batting second, were under pressure. And then — the moment came. Taijul, running in from the Pavilion End, bowled a delivery that gripped, turned, and clipped the off stump. The crowd erupted. The umpire raised his finger. The scoreboard flashed: 247.

He did it. In his 57th Test. In his 102nd innings. At 33, he became Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker — faster, cleaner, and quieter than anyone imagined.

What This Means for Bangladesh Cricket

Taijul’s rise signals a shift. For years, Bangladesh’s spin narrative revolved around Shakib — the all-rounder who could win games single-handedly. Now, it’s clear: the future belongs to specialists. Taijul doesn’t bat in the top seven. He doesn’t field at cover. He bowls, and he bowls hard. And he’s proof that you don’t need to be the face of the franchise to be its backbone.

The BCB’s decision to recall Joy also suggests a new direction — a focus on balance. Joy’s aggressive middle-order presence could be the answer to Bangladesh’s chronic problem: collapsing after a strong start. With Mushfiqur nearing 100 Tests, the baton is being passed — not in a dramatic handover, but in quiet, deliberate steps.

For fans, this series wasn’t just about beating Ireland. It was about watching history unfold in real time — not on a global stage, but right here, in a modest ground in Bangladesh, under a sky turning orange with dusk.