Taijul Makes History as the First Bangladeshi in SA20

For years, Bangladeshi presence in franchise cricket has been synonymous with Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. The two stars have lit up leagues across the globe. Yet, neither of them has ever featured in South Africa’s flagship franchise tournament, the SA20. That void has finally been filled by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who has become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to earn a contract in the prestigious league.

On Tuesday (September 9), the auction for the fourth edition of SA20 took place in Johannesburg. Taijul was snapped up by Durban’s Super Giants for 500,000 South African Rand (around 35 lakh Bangladeshi Taka). Among the 14 Bangladeshi players registered, he was the only one to secure a team.

The Bangladeshi names in the auction included Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Litton Das, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mehidy Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Zakir Ali, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, and Taijul Islam. All went unsold—except Taijul.

At Durban’s Super Giants, Taijul will share the dressing room with global stars such as Heinrich Klaasen, Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine, and Aiden Markram. Meanwhile, the biggest headline from the auction was teenage sensation Dewald Brevis, who fetched a staggering 16.5 million Rand from Pretoria Capitals.

Though a regular in Bangladesh’s Test setup, Taijul has featured in just two T20 internationals. However, his franchise T20 record is far more impressive: 88 wickets in 105 matches, thanks to his controlled left-arm spin. It is this skill set that Durban has put faith in.

The only uncertainty now lies in scheduling. The SA20 overlaps with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), raising questions over whether the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will grant Taijul a no-objection certificate to play in South Africa.