Tamim Iqbal

Tamim is a left-handed opening batsman for Bangladesh, who plays across all three formats of the game. The destructive opener has the ability to strike the ball cleanly and is arguably the hardest hitter of the cricket ball. 

Regarded as the most prolific batter in Bangladesh’s history, Tamim rose to prominence during his under-19 days in 2005. Playing against England, he smashed 112 from just 71 deliveries and tore the England bowlers apart.

Selectors started keeping a close eye on him and in two-years time, Tamim made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2007, and was included in the World Cup squad after playing just two games.

In his very first World Cup game, Tamim smashed a quick fire 51 which helped the Tigers beat India in their opener. His straight six off Zaheer Khan after skipping down the track was one of the best shots of the tournament.

The following year, Tamim made his Test debut against New Zealand. On a green top at Dunedin, the batter played a gutsy knock and scored 84 in his debut Test. New Zealand won the match, but the cricketer was the lone shining light for Bangladesh.

Tamim Iqbal became a household name when he smashed 154 of just 138 deliveries to take Bangladesh over the winning line against Zimbabwe in 2009. It was the highest-score by a Bangladeshi player at that point of time, and he became an instant star.

The southpaw scored his maiden Test ton against West Indies at Kingston to help Bangladesh win their first ever overseas Test. During the first innings of a Test match against England in 2010, he scored 86 runs, and in the process became the fastest Bangladeshi player to reach 1000 Test runs, taking 19 innings to do so.

Bangladesh toured England for a two-match Test series in 2010. The left-handed batter scored centuries in both the Test matches, and his most memorable knock came in the first Test match at Lords, where on a green top, he registered 103 runs and got his name on the honours board at Lords.

For his scintillating performance in Test cricket, Wisden named him as the Cricketer of the year in 2011.

Tamim became the second Bangladeshi player after Shakib, to play County cricket in England. He had an average domestic season, amassing 104 runs in 5 matches. 

The player was in the Bangladesh squad for the World Cup 2011. He scored a stylish 70, but the efforts went in vain as Bangladesh lost the opening match to India. 

He got decent starts against Ireland and England, but couldn’t manage to score a daddy hundred.

In 2013, in an ODI against Sri Lanka, Tamim became the first Bangladeshi player to score a century against Sri Lanka . He scored 112 off 136 balls before being run out, but Sri Lanka eventually won the match. 

Tamim went to Australia-New Zealand to play the 2015 World Cup, but apart from a scintillating 95 against Scotland, Tamim failed to deliver on the big stage.

Post 2015 World Cup, he bounced back against Pakistan, with scores of 132, 116 and 64 in the three match ODI series. 

Tamim was included in the Champions Trophy team of the tournament by the International Cricket Council for amassing 293 runs. 

In 2020, he was rewarded with the Bangladesh ODI captaincy after Mashrafe Mortaza stepped down as the skipper of the side. 

When we talk about Asian openers, the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya come to our mind. However, the longevity and sheer ruthlessness makes Tamim a special opener. He has been a little inconsistent in the shorter formats, but has always raised his game in the longest format. 

He is one of the most assured Bangladeshi players of the 21st century, and is a vital cog for his team at the top of the order.

(As of March 2021)