Tamim hails batters for sensible approach

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal believes the batsmen responded sensibly in the low-scoring affair against visitors West Indies in the first ODI at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Wednesday.

Hosts Bangladesh got off to a winning start in the series clinching the game by six wickets chasing 123 runs. 

Tamim said he had expected a better wicket to play on before the start of the game and has put the blame on the weather that remained overcast and muggy throughout the day.

An inexperienced West Indies were asked to bat first and the Caribbean side struggled from the beginning to be dismissed for a mere 122. 

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib al Hasan bagged a record 4 for 8 in 7.2 overs to lead the home side’s bowlers, while debutant pacer Hasan Mahmud picked up three.   

“No complaints. We bowled really well. The way Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) started was very good. Rubel (Hossain) also started very well. The young guy, Hasan, bowled really well. The spinners were also really good. Shakib and Mehedi (Hasan Miraz) also bowled really well,” said Tamim in the post-match presentation.

Bangladesh lost four wickets while chasing the target with Tamim registering highest 44 on the board. 

Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim’s 19s helped the team reach the shore. 

The chase was never explosive as the Bangladesh batters took as many as 33.5 overs to accomplish the chase. 

“It was a very difficult wicket to bat on. Even if you wanted to play aggressive shots, you couldn't. Initially when I saw the wicket (in the morning), I thought it would play really good. There was no sun throughout the day, so you cannot blame anyone. On this kind of wicket, you can't go in and swing your bat. I thought whoever batted, batted quite sensibly,” said Tamim.

With the win Bangladesh are 1-0 up in the three-match series playing their first international in 10 months. 

The side also registered their first 10 points in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League table. 

The second and penultimate ODI will be played Friday at the same venue.