Was Too Busy Watching Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid: Tamim Iqbal Recalls 2007 WC Match Against India

Bangladesh star Tamim Iqbal has recalled the famous 2007 World Cup match against India. The Men in Blue were one of the firm favourites for the tournament but were given a harsh reality check by Bangladesh in their very first game of the competition.

Bangladesh stunned the fancied hosts by five wickets to register their first and so far only win over India in the World Cup. India went on to lose to Sri Lanka too and exited the tournament at the group stage. Recalling that famous game, Tamim Iqbal said he was too busy observing the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly.

“The moment I was playing the World Cup 2007 match against India, I was too busy watching Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. I was just watching them. I was too happy to be playing in the presence of these legends,” Tamim Iqbal told Sanjay Manjrekar in a videocast hosted by ESPNCricinfo.

Bangladesh had bowled out India for just 191 runs. In reply, they rode on fifties from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim to chase down the total with more than one over remaining.

Tamim Iqbal felt intimidated by Zaheer Khan:

Tamim Iqbal said he and his teammates believed they could win the match after bowling out India for 190. He, however, admitted that the prospect of facing legendary pacer Zaheer Khan had intimidated him.

“When they scored 190, we knew we had a chance. I went to bat and I faced Zaheer Khan. I thought to myself will I be able to face a bowler who bowls at 140 kmph; the first ball he bowled, somehow I managed to defend that; next ball I smashed for four and from there I got some confidence,” Tamim Iqbal said.

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