Bangladesh cricket team head coach Russell Domingo said ODI captain Tamim Iqbal is aware of the scrutiny that the cricketer often faces over his performance and leadership as a full time captain of the side.
Domingo emphasized that the new ODI skipper is very much in tune mentally and that the cricketer looks forward to start the captaincy in positive manner.
Left-handed opening batsman Tamim was named long-term captain of the ODI side in March last year, replacing veteran pacer Mashrafe bin Mortaza who had chosen to step down from the role.
But the Covid-19 pandemic halted Tigers' international assignments and Tamim has not been able to lead the team since.
As a result, the three-match ODI series at home against the West Indies starting Wednesday is going to be his first mission in his new role.
Tamim has lead Bangladesh on occasions, once in Test and thrice in ODIs, and have lost all of them.
Bangladesh national think tank has been lately mulling for a dependency shift in the bowling department, particularly at home.
Posted by Sports Tribune on Monday, 18 January 2021
Going into the series with a long-term charge, all eyes are on Tamim on how he copes with leading Bangladesh in their most successful format, and taking place of Mashrafe who has led Bangladesh to 50 ODI wins.
“Tamim is going to captain the ODI side for the first time since I have been involved. I know he captained the side in 2019 (in a three-match series against Sri Lanka). I have really enjoyed working with him thus far. He is a very caring guy. He tries to make sure that all the players are feeling confident and comfortable,” said Domingo to the media during a virtual press meet Monday.
“Tamim is very much in tune to make sure the players are in a good space mentally. I am looking forward to working with him and providing as much support as possible. His heart is in the right place. He is playing for the right reasons. He wants to do well. There’s a lot of scrutiny on his leadership and his performances, he is very aware of it. He wants to start his captaincy well,” the Bangladesh head coach added.
Bangladesh will take on the Windies in the three-ODI series, starting at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
The second game will also be played at the same venue Friday, while the third and final ODI will be held at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Monday.
The series is crucial to both Bangladesh and the West Indies, considering that the games are the beginning of the ICC ODI Championship, also known as the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
The top eight teams, including hosts India, will qualify for the main round of the World Cup 2023.