Dhaka: Taijul Islam, the first Bangladeshi cricketer to secure a spot in the SA T20, will not be participating in the upcoming season of the South African domestic tournament. The Durban Super Giants have decided to replace the left-arm spinner with New Zealand's star batter, Kane Williamson.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Durban Super Giants acquired the 33-year-old bowler for 500,000 South African rand (approximately Tk. 3.50 lakh) during the auction held in Johannesburg last September. Although 14 Bangladeshi cricketers entered the auction, Taijul was the only one who secured a team.
There was uncertainty surrounding Taijul's participation in the fourth season of SA T20, scheduled to commence on December 26, as it coincides with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), which is set to begin on December 19. In the previous edition of SA T20, held in January-February this year, Durban was eliminated in the first round after winning only two out of 10 matches, finishing at the bottom of the table.
Taijul was part of the Fortune Barisal team that clinched the BPL title last season. However, the team will not be participating this time. The players' draft for the BPL, which will feature only five franchises this season, is scheduled for November 17.