2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Tamim Brilliant, Others Let Us down – Habibul Bashar
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:46 PM
Steve Smith’s side was chasing 183 to beat Bangladesh at The Oval when persistent drizzle forced the players from the field. Having scored 83-1 from 16 overs, Australia only needed to play four more overs to be eligible to win via the Duckworth-Lewis rule for rain-affected games. Unfortunately for Australia, who bowled out Bangladesh for 182, the rain became heavier and the match was called off.
Australia will be cursing their luck, as they were also frustrated by bad weather when their opening group fixture against NZ was abandoned. After England won the other day they are off to the semis. Bangladesh must thank their luck.
Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar spoke about that how Tamim was the only stand about performer for him.
Tamim Iqbal’s 95 was the highlight for Bangladesh, who are winless and face New Zealand in their final group tie. Despite Iqbal’s best efforts, Mitchell Starc’s spell of four wickets in nine balls ensured Australia had the upper hand before the rain arrived.
“Once again, Tamim was quite outstanding, and he was extremely unfortunate to miss out on a second successive century in the tournament. I thought this was an even better knock than against England, simply because the conditions were particularly challenging.While there wasn’t too much swing, Australia’s pace attack is of the highest quality, and Mitchell Starc in particularly was really bowling quickly. Tamim weathered the storm excellently and more than held his own, but unfortunately, he was let down by his team-mates.” he said.
Bashar confronted the fact that Bangladesh doesn’t have technical problems but suffers from a firm mindset.
“I don’t think the other Bangladeshi batsmen had a technical shortcoming. After all, this same top-six has played and performed in different conditions in different parts of the world. I think the problem, if any, was in the mind.”
“In my opinion, this was a 240-250 pitch, given both the conditions and the fact that it would wear a little as the night unfolded. Had one of the other top-order batsmen kept Tamim company, who knows what the final tally would have been.Australia was aware that rain was in the air, and it might feel hard done by that they were within four overs of pocketing the two full points, but sometimes, that’s how the cookie crumbles. It was a little lucky against New Zealand, and the roles were reversed this time around. That’s something Australia will understand and accept because things won’t always roll your way.” he added.
Tamim was the standout performer from his side and scored half of the team’s entire total after Bangladesh elected to bat first. It seemed like the rest of the side subdued against Australian bowling attack.