Tanzid Hasan Tanim, a newcomer from Bangladesh, can undoubtedly claim to be fortunate. Prior to his first ODI half-century against India on Thursday (October 19) at the Maharashta Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the left-handed opener’s place in the starting XI was called into question after his string of failures during the current ICC World Cup.
Tanzid, who lookk up to Tanim Iqbal, produced a stroke-filled innings to give his career another shot in the arm. It would have been interesting to see if he had been able to keep his sport in the playing XI against India has regular ODI skipper Shakib Al Hasan been available. Shakib was given a a rest for the important game because he tore his quadriceps against New Zealand in their previous match.
Bangladesh had eight different opening Liton Kumar Das-Tamim Iqbal, Rony Talukdar-Tamim Iqbal, Litton Kumar Das-Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Naim-Tanzid Hasan, Mehedy Hasan Miraz-Mohammed Naim, and Tanzid Hasan-Zakir Hasan. It wouldn’t have been shocking if Bangladesh had chosen a new opening pair. After all these high-level experiments, Tanzid and Litton appreared to find stability-at least for the time being-under Bangladesh team management.
The two managed secure a permanent batting position in each of the four games they have played so far in the competition, despite numerous changes to the batting order. It undoubtedly paid off in the end, particularly for the boy from Bogura who is expected to replace the legendary Tamim Iqbal in the future.
Tanzid and Litton, Bangladesh’s new-look opening pair, more than justified the team management’s faith in them by scoring 92 runs in just 14.4 overs- their highest opening stant total in World Cup history-to set the stage for big total against India, but their efforts were in vain because the other batmen failed to contribute. The middle order failed to tale advantage of the opening, which allowed India win easily be seven wickets.
When Tanzid struggled to impress, making 5, 1, and 16 in the first three games of the tournament, Litton appreared to be in good form, making two half centuries in the tournament, one each against England and India. This was in spite of the fact that Tanzid has shonw in the two warm-up games, one each against Sri Lanka and England in Guwahati. Althoug they actually barely managed to deliver before their game against India at a packed MCA, that somewhat impressed the team management.
Tanzid claimed that his first fifty against India gave him confidence.
After the game, Tanzid told reporters at the mixed zone, “this innings will undoubtedly boost my confidence. The team management, including the captain and coach, always believed that I can do something good.
“I have lost the last three games, but today I have a chance to win, and I’ll try to improve,” he said, adding that he was aware that this innings was of little use to the team.
“If the team does not win this inning become worthless but it feels good if I can contribute for the team,” he said.
Tanzid contributed by saying that team management, which is infamous for repeatedly experimenting with their batting order during the current World Cup, has always reassured him that he would bat first.
“Look I always opened the innings and as far as I am concerned I was never told that I will bat in different position.” he stated.
Najmul Hasan, the interim ODI captain for Bangladesh, echoed the same sentiment and added that the team management should support a player wholeheartedly if they are backed.
“Every batsmen should be in this manner (batting in a specific place),” Najmul stated.
He should have our full support, not just half of it, he said, adding that Tanzid is expected to do more.
“Tanzid played well today but the team expect smore and I feel if we all support (him) big innings can be played,” he stated.
- Editor
- October 20, 2023
- 11:55 am
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