Tamim urges top order to be more responsible

Publish: 7:55 PM, July 17, 2021 | Update: 7:55 PM, July 17, 2021

DHAKA,  — With Bangladesh eying to wrap up the three-match series against Zimbabwe by winning the second game tomorrow (Sunday), ODI captain Tamim Iqbal urged the top order to be more responsible and make it count if they get a good start.

Bangladesh won the first game by a huge 155-run margin, the victory was not straightforward as they were left to a tricky 76-4 in 15 overs after failing to deal with the Zimbabwe fast bowlers who utilized the early moisture of the pitch to move the ball admirably.

According to Tamim, the situation would not be favourable for them everyday and hence they need their top order to fire.

“There are rooms for improvement. We lost four wickets early in the first game which is not an ideal situation,” Tamim said in a video message sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today.

“We will expect our top order to play well in the next game. Our top order including me and Shakib would have to take the responsibility. If the opportunity comes we should make it count.”

He went on to say: “But I am very happy with our bowling. The way they took responsibility and played, it’s good to see.”

After Bangladesh were reduced to 76-4, Liton Das and Mahmudullah Riyad brought the side back in contention with a 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket stand. In the process, Liton brought up his fourth ODI century before being out on 114 ball-102.

Both Liton and Mahmudullah indeed fell in a quick succession that left Bangladesh in another trouble. Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz then played fluently to share 58 off just 42 balls, which helped Bangladesh post a commendable 276-9.

The way the next batch of players took the responsibility after the senior players failed to deliver elated Tamim to a big extent.

“We always discussed that the junior players need to take the responsibility. Yesterday was the perfect day as to how the junior should play [when the senior players won’t deliver]. Liton played a tremendous knock and took the responsibility to rally the side,” Tamim said.

“But the contribution of Afif and Miraz was also vital. When Liton and Mahmudullah were dismissed, still we could have fallen in danger if another wicket fell but Afif and Miraz played well and shared a good partnership which gave us a good total. I like this sort of little contribution which helped the team.”

Tamim hinted that they would retain the same XI in the second ODI that won the first game.

“Liton was injured in the first match while batting but his injury is not serious. He will be okay. Mustafizur still has fifty-fifty chances to play. All of the players in fact are in good shape,” he said.