Tigers will not be driven by any desire for revenge: Tamim

Bangladesh face Sri Lanka in opener tomorrow

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal started practice just after his arrival to Dubai to give an impression that he is ready to play the side’s Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka tomorrow (Saturday).

Tamim who has issue with his right ring finger is the one along with Shakib Al Hasan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto with injury concern. But the team manager Khaled Mahmud Sujon whose arrival was also delayed because of visa complications like Tamim Iqbal said the trio sweated it out in the middle, giving it an indication that Bangladesh would go with their best XI in the first match.

Shakib Al Hasan has been nursing an injury to his left little finger since January while Nazmul Hossain Shanto, suffered a dislocated right index finger during practice in the lead-up to the team's departure for the UAE on September 9.

Shanto is called up in the team as a back-up opener and if Tamim is fully fit to play, there will be no concern with him but Shakib’s issue looked complicated given the ace all-rounder still feels some pain.

However the trio opted to practice yesterday while other team members enjoyed a day-off because of the public holiday in Dubai due to the first day of the Arabic New Year.

Looking ahead to Asia Cup, opener Tamim Iqbal, for whom it was the first practice session said they are looking forward to play the first game as it will set the tone for the whole tournament for them.

While Bangladesh as a team will play in UAE for the first time in 23 years, Tamim is the one in this team along with Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad to play in Dubai earlier because of his stint with Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“I have a little experience playing in Dubai because of the Pakistan Super League, I think the wicket here isn’t the same, sometimes it is a really good batting wicket and sometimes it helps the seamers and spinners,” he said during an interview with ACC website. “We have to see what kind of wicket we get, but playing in Dubai is always fun and we are looking forward to playing on the fifteenth and having a good game,” he added.

As Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka, Chandika Hathurusingha’s name always comes to the fore given the way the former head coach parted with the team.

While talking to the reporters at Dubai, Tamim said, Bangladesh will not be driven by any desire for revenge when they come up against their former coach Chandika Hathurusingha in the Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Saturday. According to Tamim Iqbal, the team only feel affection towards their ex-coach, who is now in charge of Sri Lanka.

Hathurusingha left his role with Bangladesh amid some acrimony at the end of 2017, and was then placed in charge of Sri Lanka, who had previously represented as a player.

“We have shared some fantastic moments with him,” Tamim said. “When you have had a coach who has worked with you for four or five years, there will be some ups and downs.

“But whatever he has done for the team and for the country has been fantastic. No-one can take that away from him, and we all have a very good relationship with him.

  “Yes, we will definitely want to beat our ex-coach, but only in a very good mentality way – not in a way of revenge.

“If I just think about beating him, that is not going to work. We have to concentrate on playing really good cricket.”

Meanwhile chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu yesterday left the country for Dubai after his visa problem is solved. Cricket Operations chairman Akram will also join the team as he is set to leave the country tonight.

Tigers will not be driven by any desire for revenge: Tamim

Bangladesh face Sri Lanka in opener tomorrow

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal started practice just after his arrival to Dubai to give an impression that he is ready to play the sides Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka tomorrow (Saturday). Tamim who has issue with his right ring finger is the one along with Shakib Al Hasan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto with injury concern. But the team manager Khaled Mahmud Sujon whose arrival was also delayed because of visa complications like Tamim Iqbal said the trio sweated it out in the middle, giving it an indication that Bangladesh would go with their best XI in the first match. Shakib Al Hasan has been nursing an injury to his left little finger since January while Nazmul Hossain Shanto, suffered a dislocated right index finger during practice in the lead-up to the teams departure for the UAE on September 9. Shanto is called up in the team as a back-up opener and if Tamim is fully fit to play, there will be no concern with him but Shakibs issue looked complicated given the ace all-rounder still feels some pain. However the trio opted to practice yesterday while other team members enjoyed a day-off because of the public holiday in Dubai due to the first day of the Arabic New Year. Looking ahead to Asia Cup, opener Tamim Iqbal, for whom it was the first practice session said they are looking forward to play the first game as it will set the tone for the whole tournament for them. While Bangladesh as a team will play in UAE for the first time in 23 years, Tamim is the one in this team along with Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad to play in Dubai earlier because of his stint with Pakistan Super League (PSL). I have a little experience playing in Dubai because of the Pakistan Super League, I think the wicket here isnt the same, sometimes it is a really good batting wicket and sometimes it helps the seamers and spinners, he said during an interview with ACC website. We have to see what kind of wicket we get, but playing in Dubai is always fun and we are looking forward to playing on the fifteenth and having a good game, he added. As Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka, Chandika Hathurusinghas name always comes to the fore given the way the former head coach parted with the team. While talking to the reporters at Dubai, Tamim said, Bangladesh will not be driven by any desire for revenge when they come up against their former coach Chandika Hathurusingha in the Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Saturday. According to Tamim Iqbal, the team only feel affection towards their ex-coach, who is now in charge of Sri Lanka. Hathurusingha left his role with Bangladesh amid some acrimony at the end of 2017, and was then placed in charge of Sri Lanka, who had previously represented as a player. We have shared some fantastic moments with him, Tamim said. When you have had a coach who has worked with you for four or five years, there will be some ups and downs. But whatever he has done for the team and for the country has been fantastic. No-one can take that away from him, and we all have a very good relationship with him. Yes, we will definitely want to beat our ex-coach, but only in a very good mentality way not in a way of revenge. If I just think about beating him, that is not going to work. We have to concentrate on playing really good cricket. Meanwhile chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu yesterday left the country for Dubai after his visa problem is solved. Cricket Operations chairman Akram will also join the team as he is set to leave the country tonight.