Tamim Iqbal Reckons That He Is Bound To Make Mistakes As Captain But Will Ensure Team Will Always Come First

Tamim Iqbal has been the bedrock of the Bangladeshi batting-unit for the past 13 years now. The swashbuckling opener, who also happens to be the leading run-scorer for his country in ODI cricket, has now been given the opportunity to lead his team, 13 years after his debut.

But captaincy is something that has never excited Tamim. The southpaw has always believed that if he can lead his team with his batting performances then he doesn’t need to be the designated captain.

But when the opportunity did arrive this time, Tamim did not want to let it go as he didn’t want to have a regret that he bottled the opportunity to lead his country.

Tamim Iqbal recently engaged in a videocast session with Sanjay Manjrekar on ESPNCricinfo where he opened up about his thought-process behind accepting the offer this time around.

“Looking forward to it. I am sort of an individual, that captaincy doesn’t excite me. I have always felt that if I lead my team through my performances, its good enough” Tamim Iqbal told ESPNCricinfo.

He added: “When the opportunity came this time, one of my coaches told me- ‘Try it. It’s better to say ‘I don’t want to do it’ and later regret that I had the opportunity to lead my country and I didn’t do it. The coach told me, do it, give your best, give your 100 percent. There is always a second option”

Tamim accepted the fact that he does not have much experience of leading a side and reckoned that he is bound to make mistakes initially but he also assured that he will always his team ahead of him.

“I am someone whatever I’ll do I do from my heart. I am not an experienced captain so I am bound to make mistakes but I’ll ensure the team always comes first. We’ll see how it goes. If I am doing justice, I’ll continue. And, if I am not, I’ll be the first one to put my hand up,” he added.

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Tamim Iqbal on his debut World Cup game against India

Tamim Iqbal first rose through the ranks after his swashbuckling half-century during the 2007 World Cup game against India. Iqbal, while recounting that knock, said that it was a complete fanboy moment for him to play on the same ground with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh.

“The moment I was playing that game, I was not in that game. I was too busy watching Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh. I remember I was fielding and I was too just happy to be playing in the same ground with those players” Tamim reminisced.

“We knew we had a chance. The first thing I remember of thinking facing Zaheer Khan is if I’ll be able to see 140 kmph ball. I somehow managed to defend the first and thought ‘No! I can actually see’. I was lucky that the next ball I got a half-volley and it went for a four. From then on, I got a bit of confidence and I kept on swinging and it kept getting connected” he added.

Tamim went on to score a whirlwind half-century in that game which Bangladesh eventually won by five wickets.

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