Tamim Iqbal, the former captain of the Bangladesh cricket team, has emphasized the importance of long-term preparations for the team to succeed in ICC tournaments. According to Iqbal, Bangladesh needs to start preparing at least two years in advance to fare well in these international competitions.
Preparations and Team Success
Iqbal's insights come from his extensive experience leading the team. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh achieved significant milestones, including a series win in South Africa in 2022, which was a historic feat given Bangladesh's previous record in the country. The team also performed well in the ICC Super League, ensuring automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup. Iqbal led from the front, both with the bat and in his strategic leadership, particularly in utilizing the team's fast bowlers effectively.
Personal Career and Challenges
Tamim Iqbal's career has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. He is remembered for his flashy opening innings, including a quickfire fifty against India in the 2007 World Cup. However, his career has also been marred by injuries and controversies. Iqbal had announced his retirement but was persuaded to return by Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Despite his return, he was later left out of the 2023 World Cup squad due to a persistent back injury.
Iqbal has expressed a need for a clear purpose to make a comeback to the national team. He stated that he would not return just for the sake of playing, but rather if there was a meaningful reason to do so. This reflects his commitment to contributing significantly to the team rather than just participating.
Comparisons and Acknowledgments
Tamim Iqbal has also shared his views on the success of other cricketing nations, particularly India. He praised Indian players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but emphasized that the strong infrastructure and support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were crucial factors in India's achievements. Iqbal highlighted that without such robust support, even talented players would struggle to achieve the same level of success.
