Taijul Islam's simple mantra - to compete with himself

"One turns and then one doesn't; that is the beauty of Taijul," Grant Elliot summed up his bowling from the commentary box after the spinner had trapped Kyle Jamieson to pick his fourth wicket against New Zealand in the first game of the two-match Test series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Taijul's spell ensured that Bangladesh remained in pole position to take the series lead.

Taijul certainly played in the minds of the opponent and got his reward for the accurate lines and lengths, thereby ending the day with 4-40 from 20 overs in the second innings after having taken a four-for in the first innings as well.

It all came despite being ignored in other formats of the game. Ahead of the just concluded ICC World Cup, Bangladesh team management opted to play Taijul Islam and Nasum Ahmed on a