Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal said it was his decision to bat again with his broken wrist and join not out centurion Mushfiqur Rahim in the crease. The left-handed batsman suffered a wrist fracture in the second over of Bangladesh innings but made a heroic resumption late in the innings during their Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka at Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
Tamim was rushed out from the field and to hospital after the last ball of Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal’s first over, the second in the innings, struck his wrists. Following medical scans the Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud had informed the southpaw had no chance to resume in the remainder of the tournament, let alone in the match, and may be ruled out for a lengthy period.
Following the early setback Mushfiq made a good recovery by forming a century stand with Mohammad Mithun but with the fall of the latter Bangladesh again started losing wickets in regular intervals while the wicket-keeper batsman was fighting it out against the Lankans almost single handedly. When the Tigers lost their ninth batsman in shape of Mustafizur Rahman, the Sri Lankans had thought it was a job well done restricting Bangladesh to 229.
The injured Tamim Iqbal batting one-handed. He added 32 runs for the last wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim #AsiaCup2018 #BANvSL pic.twitter.com/wfdDFHl2Xw
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 15, 2018
But then Tamim was seen entering into the green, almost like any superhero entry in a film. His fractured right hand was wrapped with a soft plaster; the glove was cut open to fit the bandage and only the thumb of the southpaw’s left hand was holding the glove on. Tamim took the strike holding the bat with one hand and blocked the final delivery of 47th over bowled by Lakmal.
That unprecedented, fairy-tale like valour of Tamim inspired the hero of the day, Mushfiq to finish the innings with disdain. Musfiq, who was on 112 at that time, wreaked a havoc over the Lankans picking up 32 runs off just 15 balls and also picked up singles in the final balls of both 48th and 49th over to shield his injured partner. He was eventually holed out the final over but by then he reached his highest ODI figure of 144 and propel the score to 261 that proved more than enough in the end.
The scene of Tamim coming out to bat again was so emotional that the feeling was spread like a wild fire among the Tigers.. The gained momentum and courage later saw Bangladesh bowl out Sri Lanka for 124 runs in 35.2 overs and register 137 runs win, the biggest in an away ODI.
Following the game Tamim was approached and it was revealed that the team had decided to send him back again but only if Mushfiqur was on strike.
“But Mustafizur got out on the fifth ball of the over leaving Mushfiq on the non-strike. The decision was left on me and I went to face that one ball and get Mushfiq to bat,” said Tamim.
According Tamim Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was main source of encouragement and had prepared his gloves to fit his injured hand.
Tamim Iqbal has come out to support Rahim despite a broken hand.
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 15, 2018
It takes courage to put the team and the nation ahead of oneself and this is what we truly call #CricketMeriJaan ?
Well done ?? #BANvSL #AsiaCup
“Mashrafe bhai gave me the confidence. He continuously spoke to me and had cut open the gloves to fit my plastered hand. But when we saw Mushfiq was on non-striking end the decision had solely come to me,” Tamim informed.
With the historic victory Bangladesh is one step away from assuring a berth in the second round of the six-nation Asia Cup. The Tigers in their second and last group game will take on Afghanistan at Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The Bangladesh team management has decided to reassess Tamim’s injury in two to three days’ time before reaching any decision regarding the matter.
Massive Respect for Tamim Iqbal. Came out to bat with a broken arm and batted with one hand only.
— Saad ?? (@ImSaadAwais22) September 15, 2018
It takes a lot of courage to do this and He's done it for his country. That's why I love Cricket ?✌ #BANvSL #AsiaCup2018pic.twitter.com/Bcj87L7ibf
