It was a grand gesture by Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal as he came out to bat despite fracturing his wrist earlier during Bangladesh’s innings of the Asia Cup 2018 opener at Dubai. It was the final delivery of the second over from Suranga Lakmal when Tamim Iqbal sustained the injury which ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.

Tamim went for a pull and missed it altogether, and the ball struck on his wrist. He looked in discomfort, and the physio rushed in soon. He was taken to the hospital for scans, and it revealed a fracture on the wrist.

Bangladesh were 229 for nine when Iqbal came out to bat again. It was indeed a special moment in the game of cricket. It showed the character of Tamim and how he desperately wants his country to do well.

Even Mushfiqur Rahim said he was very surprised to see Iqbal come out to bat again. It was due to Iqbal that Mushfiqur managed to take Bangladesh’s total over the 250 mark.

Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018
Mushfiqur Rahim scored a brilliant 144 in the opening match off the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka. (Image Courtesy: Getty Images)

Tamim Iqbal came out to bat with a fractured wrist

Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 261 as Mushfiqur Rahim ran himself out.  However, by then the pair had registered the highest 10th wickets stand in ODI’s involving openers. The record before this match was 31 between Damien Martyn and Glenn McGrath of Australia.

Martyn rarely opened in ODI’s and that was one rare occasion when Martyn began the innings against New Zealand back in 2000.

Third in the list is the partnership of 30 runs between Adam Huckle and Alastair Campbell. The latter was a fluent left-handed batsman who was one of the pillars of Zimbabwe during that time. He shared 30 runs stood with Huckle against Australia in Ahmedabad during a tri-series back in 1998.

Fourth in the list is the partnership of 23 runs between Michael Atherton and Richard Illingworth It came against the Windies at Edgbaston back in 1991.

Meanwhile coming back to the ongoing match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, it won’t be an easy task for the Islanders to chase the total down. However, they have some good batters who on their day can single-handedly take the team close to the target.

For Bangladesh, in the Asia Cup 2018 opener, Tamim Iqbal faced four balls for his unbeaten two against Sri Lanka.