Simmons wary of Taijul's form ahead of must-win Test

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons express concern over the form of left-arm spinner Taijul Islam after the senior bowler failed to deliver as per the expectation in recent matches.

Taijul has managed just five wickets in his last four matches, a return that has raised concerns within the team.

Citing Taijul as one of the team's major weapons. The coach admitted that his recent lack of wickets is a matter of concern heading into the second Test against West Indies in Sylhet, starting on Thursday.

"Yes, it's always concerning because he's one of the major spinners we have in the team. So, it has to be concerning. I'm sure it's concerning for him too," the coach said.

"When you discuss it with him, it's concerning for him as well as the team because he is a major weapon that we have in this team."

Asked whether Taijul's reported shoulder injury had affected his performance, the coach said the matter should be clarified by the team's medical staff.

"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 training well. He's bowling full bore and bowled in practice yesterday, so it doesn't seem to be affecting him," he added.

Simmons also said such was his form that they would think about him when they field a playing XI for the second Test, which is a must-win for Bangladesh to avoid a series whitewash.

If Taijul is dropped, It would be the first time for him to face such fate since 2015.

"It is something that you have to think about. It is something that you have to think about when we talk in a little while; it's something that you have to think about," Simmons said.