Taijul Islam could lose his place for Sylhet Test as coach Simmons expresses concern for current form

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has openly questioned whether Taijul Islam deserves a place in the playing XI for the second Test against West Indies at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, scheduled from November 5 to 9, 2026. The warning comes after Bangladesh were beaten by eight wickets in the first Test in Dhaka, a result that has put the team's bowling and batting under sharp scrutiny.

Simmons described Taijul's current state as 'hugely concerning', pointing to a combination of poor form and a period of recovery from a left shoulder injury as factors behind the spinner's struggles. Taijul is regarded as one of Bangladesh's primary spin options, which makes his dip in output all the more difficult for the management to overlook.

The first Test in Dhaka laid bare the gulf in spin effectiveness between the two sides. Bangladesh lost 16 wickets to the spin of Roston Chase, Jomel Warrican and Joshua Bishop in Dhaka, while their own spinners picked up just eight, all in the first innings.

"It's hugely concerning because he's one of the major spinners we have in the team,' and added, 'When you're discussing [Taijul's form] with him, it is concerning for him too, as well as for the team, because he is a major weapon that we have in this team. [That] is something that you have to think about, when we talk in a little while," Simmons said, as quoted by Cricinfo.

What changes are confirmed for the Sylhet Test?

Several personnel shifts are already confirmed for the second Test. Mominul Haque, who suffered a concussion during the first Test, will not be available at Sylhet. In his absence, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will bat at number three. Mushfiqur Rahim, who sat out the Dhaka Test with a finger injury, is fit and returns to the middle order.

Bangladesh have added Amite Hasan to the squad as a replacement for Mominul. Amite is a wicketkeeper-batter who has played just one Test so far, against Zimbabwe in July 2026. The selectors have pointed to his strong domestic record as the basis for his inclusion in the group, though his place in the final XI at Sylhet is not guaranteed.

Who is Amite Hasan and what is his domestic record?

Amite Hasan has built a reputation as one of Bangladesh's most consistent performers in first-class cricket over the past five years. He recently scored his third first-class double-century in the National Cricket League, a knock that pushed his first-class batting average up to 62.23. His sole Test appearance came against Zimbabwe in July 2026, giving him limited international exposure despite his prolific domestic numbers.

"The next step for him is that the next time he gets his chance up here, to do as well as he's been doing at domestic level. It's a difference in level by some bit, but again, he goes back and he does what he needs to do there. So now, next time he gets his chance up here, he needs to show that he can do it up here also," Simmons said.