Ever since making his ODI debut against Zimbabwe back in 2007, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has experienced a roller-coaster ride. The swashbuckling southpaw has been able to mix the bad times with the good although there were two occasions when he bore the brunt of the criticism and was possibly on the verge of being ousted from the national side.
However, on both occasions, Tamim bounced back in some style.
In the 2012 Asia Cup at home, he was literally dropped from the squad. The decision to sideline Tamim came as a shock and the scenario took a turn for the worst when chief selector Akram Khan resigned.
Interestingly, Tamim was originally chosen for the squad by the national selection panel but the then Bangladesh Cricket Board president AHM Mustafa Kamal intervened and dropped Tamim, citing his omission as one of his personal decisions.
Following a lot of drama, Akram decided to backtrack from his decision to resign and Tamim was reinstated to the squad. Tamim knew he had to do something special and make a statement.
The left-hander did just that and how! The 26-year old slammed four consecutive half-centuries and after reaching his fourth fifty, he celebrated by raising four fingers, indicating each of his half-centuries. The cricketer from Chittagong could not have asked for a more befitting reply to his critics.
The second time Tamim was under the spotlight was prior to the ongoing bilateral home series at home against Pakistan. Despite a match-winning knock of 95 against Scotland in the 2015 ICC World Cup, he was lambasted in some quarters for being unable to convert his starts into big scores.
His critics were alluding to scores of two, 13 and 25 that followed the 95-run knock against the Scots. Tamim’s place in the squad came into question again.
However, the man in question was nonchalant, knowing a good score was just around the corner. His anticipation proved to be correct as he showed his class and character once again, smashing a brilliant 132 in the first ODI against Pakistan last Friday. Tamim’s scintillating knock went a long way in ensuring the Tigers’ second ever limited-over win against their nemesis.
The show did not stop there.
Yesterday, Tamim hammered yet another hundred, remaining unbeaten on 116 to pilot the Tigers to a seven-wicket win in the second ODI and in the process, seal their first ever ODI series victory over their subcontinent rival.
Tamim’s message to his critics seems to be quite clear – criticise him at your own peril.
