Tamim Iqbal
'When Shakib and I step onto the field, nothing else holds importance for us': Tamim
Tamim Iqbal's first press conference in months ahead of a crucial ODI series against England at home, which is also part of the World Cup Super League, was expected to focus on cricket. However, the captain ended up addressing his relationship with teammate Shakib Al Hasan, who leads Bangladesh in Tests and T20Is.
Prior to Tamim's media appearance on Sunday, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nazmul Hasan, spoke openly about the "unhealthy state" of Bangladesh's dressing room, as he indicated, due to the "strained" relationship between Tamim and Shakib.
Read more: England Men's Cricket Team Arrives Dhaka for White Ball Series
Tamim did not deny the authenticity of the speculation and refrained from playing down the issue, but emphasized that on-field performance takes priority over off-field issues.
“When Shakib and I step onto the field wearing the Bangladesh jersey, nothing else holds importance for us. Our sole focus is to represent Bangladesh to the best of our abilities and play with utmost dedication,” he said.
The BCB president had attempted to resolve the "dispute" between the two players but found it challenging, he said in the interview with Cricbuzz, a cricket website based in India. There are also rumors of factions emerging in the dressing room centered around Shakib and Tamim, which Tamim denied experiencing before.
“I’ve been playing for the Bangladesh team for the last 16 years, and this grouping thing comes up when the Bangladesh team fail to live up to the expectations,” Tamim said.
Read more: Will Jacks added to England squad to replace injured Tom Abell
“I've heard about rumors of grouping culture in the past, but I have never experienced it in the dressing room. As I was out of the national team for the last six months, I am not aware of any recent emergence of such culture,” he added.
The Bangladesh ODI captain responded diplomatically to the repetitive questions, stating that he and Shakib are willing to help each other when needed, particularly in terms of their captaincy roles. Tamim's main priority remains to perform well for Bangladesh and lead the team to success.
“This is a special series, and we are focusing to do well,” Tamim replied to one of a few questions about cricket.
Chandika Hathurasingha takes over as head coach of Bangladesh cricket
Chandika Hathurasingha has officially taken over as the head coach of the Bangladesh cricket team. He arrived in Dhaka on Monday and joined the team's practice session on Tuesday, marking his first day in his new role.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reappointed Hathurasingha for the next two years, following his successful first stint as the head coach.
During his first tenure, Bangladesh tasted several historic victories, both at home and abroad, including a famous win against England in the 2015 World Cup and series wins against Pakistan, India, and South America.
Hathurasingha was seen having conversations with key players, including Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed, and Taijul Islam, during Tuesday's practice session at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
However, he has not yet addressed the media. A press conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, where Hathurasingha will speak to the media and discuss his plans for the team.
The Bangladesh team is gearing up for their upcoming series against England, consisting of three ODIs and three T20 matches, starting on March 1.
Liton becomes highest ranked Bangladesh Test batter ever
Right-handed top-order batter Liton Das achieved a historic milestone, becoming the highest-ranked Bangladeshi batter in Bangladesh’s Test cricket history.
According to the latest ICC ranking update published on Wednesday, Liton Das has moved up two places to become the 12th-best batter in the longer format of international cricket. This is his highest ranking yet, surpassing his previous ranking of 14th along with Tamim Iqbal.
The newest ranking update came as a testament to Liton's skill and potential.
Liton has been batting exceptionally well for Bangladesh over the last three years, accumulating more than 1500 runs at an average of over 45 in Test.
During the mentioned period, he scored three centuries with 11 half-centuries.
Read more: T20 World Cup 2022: Liton hits a 21-ball 50 vs India before rain starts
In the past three years, Liton has become only the second player after Dimuth Karunaratne to have scored more than 1500 runs in fewer than 20 matches. Specifically, Karunaratne notched 1602 runs in 18 games, while Liton amassed 1509 runs in 19 matches.
Among the batters who have scored at least 1500 runs in the past three years, Liton holds the fifth-highest average, with only Marnus Labuschagne, Babar Azam, Joe Root, and Karunaratne all having better records than him in the same time period.
According to the most recent ranking update, Mushfiqur Rahim is the only other Bangladeshi batter to make it into the top 20, standing at 20th place. Tamim Iqbal is also in the top 50, as he is now at 43rd.
Read more: BD v SL: Liton focusing more on long shots
Is there any potential suitor to replace Tamim Iqbal in T20I cricket?
Tamim Iqbal informed the BCB president last year that he was not keen on playing the T20 format for the Bangladesh national side, emphasizing the upcoming young talents to fill his shoes in the opening slot. The veteran batter missed all bilateral Twenty20 series following the Covid-19 outbreak, including the 2021 T20 World Cup, but did not formally retire from the format until Saturday (July 16). Tamim officially quit T20I international cricket by posting a short message on his verified Facebook account. Will BCB find any potential replacements for Tamim Iqbal in the T20 format?
A look at Tamim Iqbal's T20I career
Tamim Iqbal made his T20I debut against Kenya in September 2007 and played his last match in the format against Zimbabwe in March 2020. The veteran left-hand opener is the only player to score a century for Bangladesh in the T20 format, achieving the feat against Oman (103*) in the 2016 ICC World T20.
Tamim Iqbal finished his T20I career as the third-highest run scorer of Bangladesh, behind Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan. Tamim also holds the record of three of the top five best T20I innings by Bangladeshi players.
Read SL vs PAK Test Series 2022: Fixtures, Venues, H2H Records
Bangladesh's top five T20I run scorers
Player
Match
Runs
HS
SR
Mahmudullah
118
2043
64*
117.88
Shakib Al Hasan
99
2010
84
120.86
Tamim Iqbal
74
1701
103*
117.47
Mushfiqur Rahim
100
1495
72*
115.44
Soumya Sarkar
66
1136
68
122.15
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Read 3rd ODI: Tremendous Taijul takes five as Bangladesh wrap WI for 178
Tamim Iqbal's potential suitors in T20I cricket
There are hardly many choices available for the opening slot in Bangladesh's T20I lineup. Litton Das is most likely to open the innings for Bangladesh in the coming fixtures. The selectors, therefore, have to find a suitable partner for Litton in the T20 format. To keep the 2022 T20 World Cup in mind, the BCB needs to pick a player from those who have played for the national side in the last 18 months. The BCB selectors may want to have a look at the following options.
Mohammad Naim
T20I batting stats since January 1, 2021
M: 28 | Runs: 590 | HS: 64 | Ave: 21.85 | SR: 98.82
Left-handed batter Mohammad Naim started his T20I career with a lot of promise. Though Naim’s recent performances have been below par. He has been given the most chances (28 matches) to open the innings for Bangladesh. However, Naim’s strike rate is under 100, and the average is just over 20. With the current form, Mohammad Naim’s chances of making the playing XI in the coming fixtures are highly unlikely.
Read Tamim announces T20I retirement
Munim Shahriar
T20I batting stats since January 1, 2021
M: 3 | Runs: 23 | HS: 17 | Ave: 7.66 | SR: 74.19
Munim Shahriar was given a chance in the Afghanistan series after a brilliant performance in the BPL 2022. He has so far played three T20Is for Bangladesh and hasn’t made any significant impact with the bat. The BCB may give Munim Shahriar more chances in the coming twenty20 fixtures to showcase his talent on the international stage.
Anamul Haque
T20I batting stats since January 1, 2021
M: 3 | Runs: 29 | HS: 16 | Ave: 9.66 | SR: 116.00
Anamul Haque had a fantastic start to his international career but couldn’t keep up the momentum later and subsequently lost his place in the national team. He recently had a record-breaking season in the DPL 2022. Following the 2022 DPL season, Anamul was given another chance on the just-concluded West Indies tour. He once again fell short of expectations, though. Anamul may be given a few more chances in the upcoming T20I matches.
Read Bangladesh clinch a clean sweep against West Indies in ODIs
Najmul Hossain Shanto
T20I batting stats since January 1, 2021
M: 1 | Runs: 5 | HS: 5 | Ave: 5 | SR: 11.11
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s chances to find a place in the opening slot are very slim as he is considered for the longer-version format. However, the BCB may turn their attention to him if others fail to live up to their expectations.
The above players' overall T20I statistics
Player
Match
Runs
HS
SR
Mohammad Naim
34
809
81
103.71
Munim Shahriar
3
23
17
74.19
Anamul Haque
16
384
58
117.79
Najmul Hossain Shanto
6
76
40
100
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Read WI vs BAN Series 2022: Top 7 performers from Bangladesh team
Aftermath
The Bangladesh Cricket Board's selections have experimented with a number of players to fill Tamim Iqbal's opening position. However, none of the opening batters has been consistent enough over the course of Bangladesh's 32 games during the past 18 months. Therefore, finding a suitable alternative for Tamim Iqbal in the opening position of the T20 format may not be possible any time soon. Bangladesh may struggle in the top order at the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in the absence of Tamim Iqbal, who used to anchor the innings to the end.
Tamim becomes fastest Bangladeshi to score 5000 runs in Test
Tamim Iqbal became Bangladesh's fastest 5,000 runs scorer in Test cricket against the West Indies on the first day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua Thursday.
The southpaw who perished on 29 reached the milestone after scoring three runs off a Kemar Roach delivery in the seventh over.
Among the Bangladeshi cricketers, Tamim is the second batsman to enter the 5,000 runs club in Test, playing 129 innings in 68 Tests.
Also Read: Shakib wants to see ‘team performance’
Former captain Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score 5,000 runs in Test cricket, playing 149 innings in 81 Tests.
Tamim, who needed just 19 runs to achieve the feat in the last Test match against Sri Lanka at home, failed due to his injury.
The other leading scorers of Bangladesh in Test Cricket are Shakib Al Hasan (4113), Mominul Haque (3525), and Habibul Bashar (3026).
WI vs BAN: Tour match ends in a draw after Mustafizur bags three
The lone warm up match of Bangladesh ahead of the series against the West Indies has ended in a draw. Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Ebadto Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman shone well in this match.
Bangladesh batted first in the tour match in Antigua and declared their first innings at 310 for seven. Tamim scored 162, and Najmul hit a fifty for the visitors.
In reply, the Cricket West Indies President XI scored 359 for eight in their first innings before declaring. For Bangladesh, right-arm pacer Ebadot and left-arm pacer Mustafizur bagged three wickets each.
Also read: Bangladesh vs West Indies Test Series 2022: Major Highlights of the Warm-Up Match
It was Mustafizur's first red-ball game after a long break. The pacer last played a competitive cricket match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, which is a white-ball event.
In the long tour of West Indies, Bangladesh will take on the hosts in a two-match Test, three-match ODI and three-match T20I series.
The first Test of the series will begin on June 16 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua and the second Test will be played at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia from June 24.
While the first two T20Is will be played at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica on July 2 and 3 respectively, the third T20I and all three ODIs will be played at Providence Stadium, Guyana on July 10, 13 and 16 respectively.
Also read: WI v BAN: Ebadot shines with ball in tour match
Shakib Al Hasan, the left-handed all-rounder, is set to lead the Tigers in the Test series. He returned to lead the Tigers after Mominul Haque stepped down as the captain.
In ODIs, Bangladesh will be led by Tamim, and in T20Is, Mahmudllah Riyad will be the skipper.
WI vs BAN: Tamim hits a ton in tour match
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal hit a ton in the first innings of the tour match against Cricket West Indies President XI at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
Bangladesh ended up day one at 274 for six in 82.5 overs with Tamim being not-out for 140 off 240 deliveries.
While Tamim hit a ton, the other opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy suffered a duck. Mominul Haque, who resigned from his role as Bangladesh Test captain, also suffered a duck.
After Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto was the best scorer for Bangladesh posting 54 runs on the board.
For the hosts, Jeremiah Louis bagged two wickets.
In this tour, Bangladesh will play a two-match Test, three-match ODI and three-match T20I series.
Read: Tamim Iqbal needs to wait for more to know his illness
Ctg test: Bangladesh declare ensuring a 68-run lead
Ensuring a 68-run lead in the first innings, Bangladesh declared their first innings of the Chattogram Test on 465 for nine in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 397.
To end day four, Sri Lanka will have around 24 overs to play.
Also read:5000 Test Runs: Foremost Cricketers to Reach the Milestone From Respective Teams
After Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiur Rahim also hit a century in Bangladesh’s first innings. Along the way, Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi batter to have scored 5,000 runs in Test cricket.
It was Mushfiqur’s eighth century in the format and first after 18 innings. He notched up his last ton before this in 2020 against Zimbabwe in Dhaka.
Bangladesh did not lose any wicket in the first session of day four, but off the first over of the second session, the hosts lost two wickets— Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal with the latter resumed his innings after lunch of day four. Tamim had left the field on day three with a cramped right hand.
Bangladesh batted in a slow manner which actually was an attempt to ensure that they would not lose this match from this stage.
For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha bagged four wickets conceding 60 runs while Asitha Fernando took three.
Also read:Bangladesh tighten grip on Ctg Test
Earlier, Sri Lanka ended their first innings at 397 with an outstanding 199 by Angelo Mathews.
For Bangladesh, Nayeem Hasan bagged six wickets in the first innings which is now the best bowling innings by him in the format. It was the third five-for for the right-handed spinner.
Tamim aims to play 'good cricket' in ODIs vs Afghanistan
The three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is set to begin on Wednesday in Chattogram. Ahead of the first match of the series, Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said they are looking forward to playing a good brand of cricket.
It should have been a mandatory goal for the Bangladesh team in this series, and it was not required to be expressed by the captain. But while answering a question on whether the Tigers are aiming to whitewash the Afghans, Tamim came up with this reply.
Read:BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2022: Bangladesh Start as Favourites
This series is going to be Bangladesh’s first 50-over competition after a gap of eight months. The Tigers played their last 50-over international match back in July last year against Zimbabwe. Since then, the Tigers have been busy playing T20Is.
Bangladesh captain said the team is excited to be back to play ODIs after a long gap. “No doubt that everyone in the team is excited. We are set to play our favourite edition of international cricket. We will play a few more ODI series this year unlike the last year,” Tamim said at the pre-series press conference.
The last ODI series against Zimbabwe was Tamim’s last international assignment too. With the latest series against Afghanistan, Tamim is also making his return to international cricket.
“We were playing in different events, so coming back and playing ODIs won’t a be a tough walk for us,” Tamim said. “It’s great that the whole team prepared to take the field. We are waiting to perform as the Bangladesh team.”
While the Bangladesh team is aiming to play a good brand of cricket, Afghans are prepared well with their spinners who have enjoyed enormous success in Bangladesh previously.
“We have won our last game in Bangladesh, and ahead of another series, we are taking inspiration from that win,” Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghan ODI captain told in the pre-series press conference. “We have a set of good spinners who have the ability to deliver well in Bangladesh. We know that the wickets of Bangladesh are always friendly to the spinners.”
Read:BAN vs AFG T20I Series 2022: Bangladesh Squad Announced for Afghanistan Series
A few Afghanistan players have taken part in the recently-concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Shahidi believes that the experience of playing BPL will help them a lot to do well against the hosts.
Before flying to Chattogram for the ODI series, Afghanistan had a six-day preparation camp in Sylhet.
After the ODI series, both the teams will lock horns in a two-match T20 series in Dhaka on March 3 and 5.
Ahead of this series, Bangladesh and Afghanistan took each other on in eight matches and Bangladesh won five of them. With three wins, Afghanistan also played some good cricket.
Tamim Iqbal’s uncle ex-cricketer Akbar Khan no more
Cricketer Tamim Iqbal’s uncle Akbar Khan, a former cricketer, died on Thursday.
Akbar Khan ,45, breathed his last in the early hours of the day while undergoing treatment at a Chattogram hospital.
His family said he had been suffering from various illnesses for a long time.
Also read: Tamim finds commentary an ‘interesting’ job
He is the younger brother of former cricketer and Director of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Md Akram Khan.
After playing for clubs like Star Club, Chattogram Abahani, Akbar Khan retired from cricket in 2012.
Tamim Iqbal said, “He was my first cricket coach and learned the basics of cricket from him. I played my first match under Akbar Khan’s supervision.”
Tamim sought doa for the deceased and his family.
Akbar Khan will be buried in the family graveyard after his namaz-e-janaza at Chattogram Outer Stadium Thursday afternoon.
Also read: Tamim's ton overshadows Lindle's first BPL century
Akbar Khan left behind two sons, his wife, numerous fans and admirers.
AJM Nasir Uddin, former Chattogram mayor and BCB director, Siraj Uddin Md Alamgir, general secretary of District Sports Association expressed deep shock at Akbar Khan’s demise.