Bangladesh should play more Tests to improve: Tamim

The spotlight was on Mustafizur Rahman for his outstanding performance in the limited overs version of the game last year. Yet, cricket buffs could hardly ignore Tamim Iqbal’s performance. Bangladesh became a mature ODI outfit because of his sterling performance as an opener. While Bangladesh is seriously pondering how to replicate its ODI performance in Test cricket—a format in which Bangladesh remains vulnerable despite having played for the past 16 years—Tamim’s start at the top will be the key to this change. As the highest run-getter for Bangladesh in all three formats, Tamim is now ready to execute upfront what the Bangladesh management is planning. Even though he is not hopeful of becoming the first Bangladeshi player to cross 10,000 runs in Test cricket, he wants to keep his Test average close to 50. The swashbuckling opener revealed his ambitions and the future of Bangladesh Test cricket in a candid interview with The Independent’s Syed Mohammed Pithu, as Bangladesh prepare to start a long Test season.

Here are the excerpts:
Q: Where does Bangladesh now stand as far as Test cricket is concerned?
Tamim Iqbal (TI): I think among the three formats, we’re weakest in Test cricket. Our performance and statistics in this particular format show how vulnerable we are in this format, as of now. We need to improve a lot if we want to be considered a powerful team in this format, as in the limited overs game.
 Q: Why didn’t we make expected improvements in this format despite having played the longer version of cricket for the past 16 years?
TI: If you see the number of years that we have played, it seems we didn’t make as much improvement as expected. This is partly because we don’t get the opportunity to play as much Test cricket as we should. You can’t expect to make huge improvements by playing only two or three Tests in a year. We have never got the opportunity to play Test cricket continuously. That is the major reason for our shoddy performance in the longer version of cricket. We all know we need to play more Test matches if we want to improve. I am sure the BCB is trying to arrange more Test matches for us. We know there are many problems in arranging more Test matches, but, at the same time, we hope the number of Test matches for us will be increased in future.
Q: Recently, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha said a golden period for the Bangladesh team is in the offing in Test cricket, because senior players like you have matured enough to take on the responsibility. Do you think you can fulfil the coach’s expectations?
TI: He said that because we have been playing cricket for the last 10 to 12 years. We’ve gained a lot of experience and played in different conditions, so it’s time to use our experience for the betterment of the team. If you look at other countries, the players start excelling when they are 30 or 32 years. The players become mature at this stage and take on responsibilities. Most of the senior players of our team, including myself, are now approaching 30, and it’s high time for us to deliver. So, yes, we are prepared and ready to give our best.
 Q: It is believed Tamim Iqbal’s performance as an opener scripted Bangladesh’s many victories in the limited overs game. In Test cricket, how will you approach the game, as Bangladesh are on course to replicate their ODI performance in Test cricket?
TI: For a cricketer, Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. If I can be successful in Test cricket, I’ll be hugely satisfied. The approach will be no different, as it is a matter of giving the side a right kind of start they need. When I go to the field, I just keep in mind that I’m playing for Bangladesh, so I have to show my dedication and commitment. Regardless of the formats, I just try to play my natural game and follow the team rules. The goal is to score as much as possible and take the side to a safer zone.
 Q: Will you be the first player to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket for Bangladesh?
TI: No, it’s not possible. It’s impossible to touch that landmark at the rate we are playing Test cricket now. In fact, I can’t expect that. Imagine how many Test matches we play in a year… just two or three, at the most. So, as a batsman, I can understand that it’s not possible to achieve that feat, playing just one or two Tests in a year. You need to play seven or eight Test matches in a year to keep you rolling. If I can play for another 10 years and play seven or eight Test matches every year, it would then be possible for me to score 10,000 Test runs.
 Q: What actually motivates you as far as Test cricket is concerned?
TI: I want to score as many runs as possible. I want to contribute to the team’s victory as much as I can. I’ll try to keep my Test average at 45 to 50, and that’s what I want to see at the end of my career. That’s the motivation. But another thing is I want to score 10,000 runs in any format of the game. Currently, it seems, I have the chance to score 10,000 runs in ODI cricket if I can play another 150 ODIs.
Q: Which innings would you pick as your favourite if you are asked to do?
TI: I would choose the double century that I scored against Pakistan last year. I will rate that century as the No. 1 knock, not because that’s the highest individual score for Bangladesh, but because the double century helped us draw the Test match and we made it in a difficult situation.
 Q: At this point, how many years would Bangladesh need to improve their ranking in Test cricket?
TI: We can’t improve in the next 20 years if we play Test cricket at this rate. As I said, we play two or three Test matches in a year. How can you expect to improve your ranking, playing just two or three Tests in a year. Yes, I know the BCB’s limitations. It can’t arrange seven or eight Tests even if they want. There are so many problems. I know that if the BCB could, it would definitely organise more Test matches. I don’t know how to overcome the situation, but all I know is that we have to play more Test matches.
Q: Bangladesh’s ambition to improve itself in Test cricket may face a further blow if the proposed two-tier system is executed…
TI: I don’t know about it, so I won’t make any comment on it.

Bangladesh should play more Tests to improve: Tamim

The spotlight was on Mustafizur Rahman for his outstanding performance in the limited overs version of the game last year. Yet, cricket buffs could hardly ignore Tamim Iqbals performance. Bangladesh became a mature ODI outfit because of his sterling performance as an opener. While Bangladesh is seriously pondering how to replicate its ODI performance in Test cricket—a format in which Bangladesh remains vulnerable despite having played for the past 16 years—Tamims start at the top will be the key to this change. As the highest run-getter for Bangladesh in all three formats, Tamim is now ready to execute upfront what the Bangladesh management is planning. Even though he is not hopeful of becoming the first Bangladeshi player to cross 10,000 runs in Test cricket, he wants to keep his Test average close to 50. The swashbuckling opener revealed his ambitions and the future of Bangladesh Test cricket in a candid interview with The Independents Syed Mohammed Pithu, as Bangladesh prepare to start a long Test season.

Here are the excerpts: Q: Where does Bangladesh now stand as far as Test cricket is concerned? Tamim Iqbal (TI): I think among the three formats, were weakest in Test cricket. Our performance and statistics in this particular format show how vulnerable we are in this format, as of now. We need to improve a lot if we want to be considered a powerful team in this format, as in the limited overs game. Q: Why didnt we make expected improvements in this format despite having played the longer version of cricket for the past 16 years? TI: If you see the number of years that we have played, it seems we didnt make as much improvement as expected. This is partly because we dont get the opportunity to play as much Test cricket as we should. You cant expect to make huge improvements by playing only two or three Tests in a year. We have never got the opportunity to play Test cricket continuously. That is the major reason for our shoddy performance in the longer version of cricket. We all know we need to play more Test matches if we want to improve. I am sure the BCB is trying to arrange more Test matches for us. We know there are many problems in arranging more Test matches, but, at the same time, we hope the number of Test matches for us will be increased in future. Q: Recently, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha said a golden period for the Bangladesh team is in the offing in Test cricket, because senior players like you have matured enough to take on the responsibility. Do you think you can fulfil the coachs expectations? TI: He said that because we have been playing cricket for the last 10 to 12 years. Weve gained a lot of experience and played in different conditions, so its time to use our experience for the betterment of the team. If you look at other countries, the players start excelling when they are 30 or 32 years. The players become mature at this stage and take on responsibilities. Most of the senior players of our team, including myself, are now approaching 30, and its high time for us to deliver. So, yes, we are prepared and ready to give our best. Q: It is believed Tamim Iqbals performance as an opener scripted Bangladeshs many victories in the limited overs game. In Test cricket, how will you approach the game, as Bangladesh are on course to replicate their ODI performance in Test cricket? TI: For a cricketer, Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game. If I can be successful in Test cricket, Ill be hugely satisfied. The approach will be no different, as it is a matter of giving the side a right kind of start they need. When I go to the field, I just keep in mind that Im playing for Bangladesh, so I have to show my dedication and commitment. Regardless of the formats, I just try to play my natural game and follow the team rules. The goal is to score as much as possible and take the side to a safer zone. Q: Will you be the first player to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket for Bangladesh? TI: No, its not possible. Its impossible to touch that landmark at the rate we are playing Test cricket now. In fact, I cant expect that. Imagine how many Test matches we play in a year just two or three, at the most. So, as a batsman, I can understand that its not possible to achieve that feat, playing just one or two Tests in a year. You need to play seven or eight Test matches in a year to keep you rolling. If I can play for another 10 years and play seven or eight Test matches every year, it would then be possible for me to score 10,000 Test runs. Q: What actually motivates you as far as Test cricket is concerned? TI: I want to score as many runs as possible. I want to contribute to the teams victory as much as I can. Ill try to keep my Test average at 45 to 50, and thats what I want to see at the end of my career. Thats the motivation. But another thing is I want to score 10,000 runs in any format of the game. Currently, it seems, I have the chance to score 10,000 runs in ODI cricket if I can play another 150 ODIs. Q: Which innings would you pick as your favourite if you are asked to do? TI: I would choose the double century that I scored against Pakistan last year. I will rate that century as the No. 1 knock, not because thats the highest individual score for Bangladesh, but because the double century helped us draw the Test match and we made it in a difficult situation. Q: At this point, how many years would Bangladesh need to improve their ranking in Test cricket? TI: We cant improve in the next 20 years if we play Test cricket at this rate. As I said, we play two or three Test matches in a year. How can you expect to improve your ranking, playing just two or three Tests in a year. Yes, I know the BCBs limitations. It cant arrange seven or eight Tests even if they want. There are so many problems. I know that if the BCB could, it would definitely organise more Test matches. I dont know how to overcome the situation, but all I know is that we have to play more Test matches. Q: Bangladeshs ambition to improve itself in Test cricket may face a further blow if the proposed two-tier system is executed TI: I dont know about it, so I wont make any comment on it.