Simmons Puts Taijul Islam’s Place on the Line Ahead of Sylhet Test

Bangladesh are staring at a selection dilemma, and it involves one of their biggest names. Head coach Phil Simmons has openly questioned whether Taijul Islam deserves a spot in the XI for the second Test against West Indies. The series moves to Sylhet from November 5 to 9, 2026, with Bangladesh already trailing after a heavy defeat in Dhaka.

Simmons Raises the Alarm Over Taijul

Simmons did not hide his worry. He described Taijul’s current state as ‘hugely concerning’, pointing to a mix of poor form and a recovery period from a left shoulder injury.

Taijul is one of Bangladesh’s primary spin options, so his dip is hard for the management to ignore. The coach made clear that the issue is just as troubling for the player himself.

‘It’s hugely concerning because he’s one of the major spinners we have in the team. 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,’ Simmons said, as quoted by Cricinfo.

The coach added that it is something the management must think carefully about before finalising the combination.

A Selection Call With Real Weight

Dropping a frontline spinner is never easy, especially on home soil. Yet the Dhaka Test showed how costly a lack of spin impact can be.

How Spin Decided the Dhaka Test

West Indies won the first Test by eight wickets, and spin was at the heart of it. Roston Chase, Jomel Warrican and Joshua Bishop tore through Bangladesh’s batting.

Bangladesh’s own spinners could not match that output. All of their wickets came in the first innings, and they were largely absent when the game was slipping away.

That gap in spin effectiveness is exactly why Taijul’s form is now such a talking point. Bangladesh need their home conditions to work for them, not against them.

The Batting Needs to Step Up Too

The bowling was not the only concern. Simmons also said Bangladesh ‘have to step up’ with the bat after a disappointing display in the opener.

Team Changes Confirmed for Sylhet

Several personnel moves are already locked in. Mominul Haque suffered a concussion in the first Test and will miss the second match.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will bat at number three in his absence. Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the Dhaka Test with a finger injury, is fit and returns to the middle order.

That return should add experience to a batting line-up that needs stability. It also gives Bangladesh a more settled core as they look to bounce back.

Amite Hasan Called Up

Bangladesh have added Amite Hasan to the squad as a replacement for Mominul. He is a wicketkeeper-batter with just one Test to his name, against Zimbabwe in July 2026.

The selectors have pointed to his strong domestic record as the reason for his inclusion. His place in the final XI at Sylhet, however, is not guaranteed.

Who Is Amite Hasan?

Amite has built a reputation as one of Bangladesh’s most consistent first-class performers over the past five years. He recently scored his third first-class double-century in the National Cricket League.

That knock lifted his first-class batting average to 62.23. It is a number that demands attention, even if the step up to Test cricket is a big one.

Simmons was clear about what he expects next from the newcomer.

‘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,’ Simmons said.

What Comes Next

Bangladesh head to Sylhet with questions at the top of the order, in the spin department and in the dressing room’s confidence. Simmons has said he will discuss Taijul’s situation shortly, so the final call is still to come.

With the series on the line, every selection decision will be scrutinised. Whether Bangladesh back their senior spinner or go in a different direction could shape the entire Test.