The T20 World Cup Is Not As Big As The ODI World Cup: Tamim Iqbal Says In Support Of The 50-Over Format

Tamim Iqbal, the opening batsman for Bangladesh, has adamantly defended the ODI concept amid concerns about its future.

The rise of T20 and the franchise cricket that goes along with it has led some fans and former cricket players to feel that the 50-over format is slowly dying. The 33-year-old, who just made his retirement from T20Is official, believes the format has some advantages.

Iqbal informed the media before the three-match series against Zimbabwe that the one-day international is still a significant aspect of cricket.

“The ODIs, in my opinion, are a crucial format. The ICC, in addition to me, said it. This format is popular for watching matches. The T20 World Cup is smaller than the ODI World Cup if you look at the major ICC competitions. In cricket, this is a crucial format.”

The experienced batsman declared his retirement from T20 cricket following a very heated argument with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over his position in the shortest format.

‘Team will have to be at their best to defeat Zimbabwe’: Tamim Iqbal

Tamim Iqbal told the media that the team will have to perform at its peak to beat Zimbabwe in the forthcoming three-match ODI series.

“In terms of squad strength, we are superior to the other team, but in cricket, the team that plays its best on a given day wins the match. Due to their superior play, Zimbabwe defeated us in the T20Is.”

At the Harare Sports Club, Bangladesh will play the Regis Chakabva-led team in the first ODI later today, on August 5.

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