Stats: Taijul Islam overtakes Shakib Al Hasan to become fastest Bangladeshi bowler to claim 200 Test wickets

Bangladesh are playing South Africa in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh have entered the Test without the services of their veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. The political unrest is still nursing the agitation against the dethroned Awami League Party and Shakib, who was a member of parliament from the party, has been instructed to not enter the country over security issues.

But the development in the Test made Shakib’s name appear as Taijul Islam became the second Bangladeshi to claim 200 Test wickets. By doing so, the spinner overtook Shakib’s record of reaching the milestone in 54 Tests. Taijul achieved the feat in just 48 Tests, thus making him the fastest Bangladesh bowler to do so. Meanwhile, Shakib has 246 wickets in 71 Tests.

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Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. But the team succumbed to South Africa’s lethal bowling. Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj picked three wickets each as the hosts were bundled up for 106 runs. At the toss, Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto anticipated the pitch to show its colours on Day 4 but the pitch spoke a different language on the first day.

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“I will like to bat first, it looks dry and it won't be easy to bat here in the fourth innings. It can happen in cricket, the way we played against Pakistan was impressive. We have experience and we are looking forward to play here. We know the conditions and hopefully we will do good. Most of the players are doing preparation since the India series and we are ready,” said Shanto at the toss.