Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has flagged serious concerns over left-arm spinner Taijul Islam's recent loss of form, describing it as 'hugely concerning' ahead of the second and final Test against West Indies, set to begin in Sylhet on Thursday, 6 November 2026. Bangladesh enter the match trailing the series 1-0 after an eight-wicket defeat in the opening Test.

Taijul's Dip in Numbers

Taijul Islam is Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, making him a cornerstone of the team's spin attack. However, the numbers from his recent outings tell a worrying story: he has managed just five wickets across his last four Tests — a return well below the standard expected of a frontline spinner on subcontinental surfaces.

Simmons did not hold back when asked about the situation. '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,' the coach said, according to Cricinfo.

Physical Condition Under the Spotlight

Questions around Taijul's workload have also surfaced, particularly after he bowled a gruelling 48 overs in the fourth innings against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Simmons, however, downplayed the physical angle while deferring to medical staff for a definitive assessment.

'That you'll have to ask the medical staff. I know he had a little bit of trouble in the UAE, but since then, he's thrown well; he's bowling full bore; he bowled full practice yesterday, so it doesn't seem to be affecting him,' Simmons said.

Batting Woes Compound Bangladesh's Problems

Taijul's form is not the only concern for the Bangladesh camp. Simmons acknowledged that the team's batting has fallen well short of the benchmark they set during the Darwin Test, where they demonstrated the discipline and application needed at the highest level.

'Since Darwin, we haven't batted well. We showed what we are capable of if the determination to bat is there, but since that [Darwin Test], we have not batted well in the formats we have played,' he said.

The coach, however, remained optimistic about the squad's work ethic. 'I don't think it's hard to replicate. I think the one thing I can tell you is that the guys have been working hard. They are working at the same intensity and the same way they worked before Darwin,' Simmons added.

What Bangladesh Need in Sylhet

With the series on the line, Bangladesh will need a collective performance to avoid a series defeat at home. The Sylhet pitch is traditionally spin-friendly, which makes Taijul's availability and form all the more critical. This is notably the second Test in quick succession where Bangladesh's key spinner enters a match under a cloud of doubt — a pattern the team management will be keen to break before the series concludes.