‘Shakib bhai not here and we’re not good enough spinners’

Bangladesh national team are staring down the barrel when it comes to their Test form. The Tigers have lost their last six Test -- five of those ending in innings defeat – and the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe presents a chance to improve in the longest and the hardest format. However, Bangladesh's reliance on spin have not paid off both home and away in recent Tests.

Spin has been Bangladesh's main weapon in home Tests and gave the team some cause for rejoice in the recent past. But the recent result has seen their spin dependency backfire. The presence of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan had given the team balance before his ban but now without Shakib in the squad, the spin threat failed to bring optimum results.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was taken back by a question posed by reporters today regarding the team's spin department not firing on all cylinders since Shakib's ban and whether he was looking forward to facing Zimbabwe since he performs well against them.

"I don't like that question. It's not like I only pick wickets against Zimbabwe," he said.

When asked where the deficiencies were since Tigers were performing even away from home with Shakib, Taijul retorted: "Maybe those of us who are spinners, are not good enough. We're not like Shakib bhai and since things were going well when he was there, maybe that is the only answer."

Taijul was of the opinion that there was no quality spinner at the moment when asked if the other spinners were ready to step up their game in Shakib's absence.

"We don't have spinners of that quality and that's why such results are happening," he said begrudgingly.