SA vs BAN 2017: We Must Not Lose Faith On Our Bowlers, Says Tamim Iqbal
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:12 PM
Senior batsman Tamim Iqbal has leapt to the defence of the under-fire Bangladesh bowlers who have looked far from effective on the ongoing tour of South Africa. On the pitches where the Proteas pacer have made life difficult for the Bangladeshi batsmen, the visiting bowlers have looked completely out of sorts.
After taking only 13 wickets in the two-Test series, the bowlers could not take even a single wicket in the first ODI at Kimberley as centuries from Quinton de Kock, and Hashim Amla propelled the hosts to a thumping 10-wicket win while chasing 279.
But instead of criticising the bowlers, Tamim felt the way the South Africa openers were batting; even a 300-plus total would not have been safe.
“The way they batted [in the opening game] it seemed even 320 wouldn’t have been enough but I believe at times even 280 or 290 is enough,” said Tamim on Tuesday (October 17). “Rather than blaming bowling or fielding unit if we can play as a group it is possible to defend 280 or 320 runs.
Tamim further supported the bowlers by mentioning their role in Bangladesh’s impressive performances in the last couple of years where they have defeated the likes of England, Australia and Sri Lanka in Tests and registered ODI series wins over India and South Africa in addition to making it to the semifinal of this year’s Champions Trophy.
“The batting unit can have a rough patch while the bowling unity can also have a rough time but we should not forget that the pace bowlers played a big part behind our success in the last two years. It is fair to criticize [bowlers] as they were not up to the mark but we must not lose our faith on them,” said Tamim who did not play the second Test and in the first ODI
With Bangladesh proving no match for the Proteas as of now, Tamim feels early breakthroughs can give his team a chance and backed the bowlers to make a comeback.
“If they can provide early breakthroughs and we can remove few wickets quickly we definitely have a chance as they are mostly depended on their top-order,” he said. “Our bowlers have the potential and I am sure they will make a comeback.”
The southpaw concluded by urging the batsmen to capitalise on the starts.
“There were times when some of our batsmen were unlucky but we must make our start counts as 30s and 40s does not serve our purpose,” he said.