Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has spoken out about the lack of recognition for Taijul Islam, asserting that the spinner does not receive the respect and importance he deserves as a Bangladeshi cricketer. Over the past decade, Tamim has referred to Taijul as one of the best spinners in the world and a priceless asset to Bangladeshi cricket.

At 32 years old, Taijul's exclusion from the ODI team has raised eyebrows. Since Tamim stepped down from captaincy, Taijul’s opportunities have diminished. Tamim himself faced criticism when he selected Taijul for his BPL team, Fortune Barishal, but he has always recognized Taijul's talent.

Despite being labeled a "Test specialist," Taijul has not consistently found a place in the playing XI. However, he recently became the fastest Bangladeshi bowler to reach 200 Test wickets during the first Test against South Africa, moving Tamim to express his pride and emotion on social media.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Tamim wrote, “Congratulations to Taijul Islam. Achieving 200 Test wickets is a remarkable accomplishment in the context of Bangladesh cricket. To take 200 wickets in just 48 Tests is an even greater achievement. Unfortunately, he often does not receive the respect and recognition he deserves in Bangladeshi cricket. Despite consistently performing, he rarely enjoys the status of a hero. Nevertheless, he has continued to do his job day after day, year after year.”

Taijul has been instrumental in many of Bangladesh’s achievements, especially in the ongoing Test against South Africa, where he claimed five out of six wickets in the first innings, helping the team dream of a victory despite being all out for 106 runs.

Tamim expressed his disappointment at the lack of discussion surrounding Taijul, stating, “It is unfortunate that there isn’t enough conversation about him in world cricket. Yet, he has taken 200 wickets in fewer Tests than many great bowlers. If he were a player from a bigger cricketing nation, perhaps he would receive more attention.”

By labeling Taijul as one of the best spinners in the world over the past decade, Tamim emphasized, “His statistics show that he is among the top spinners in world cricket over the last ten years. His performance, dedication, and commitment make him an invaluable asset for Bangladesh cricket. Congratulations again, Taijul. There’s still much more to achieve.”