He has been a spectator in Test matches. Tamim Iqbal has spent the last few days in Harare doing light stretching on the field during the breaks of the match, sometimes batting in the net. The ODI captain of the Bangladesh team is now waiting for the ODI series. In an earlier interview with Prothom Alo, he also spoke about the Harare Test and the upcoming ODI series. However, the interview had to be taken on the condition that Mahmudullah did not ask any questions about his retirement from the Test:
Q: The ODI series is ahead. What is the latest status of your knee injury?
Tamim Iqbal: Look, it's an injury that won't heal in the next three, four or five days. By tapping, I have to play with the pain. I have to abide by the plan given by our physio or medical department for a few weeks after the game.
Q: You have batted in the net for the last few days even though you have not played a Test. Did you feel any problem then?
Tamim: By the grace of God, there is no problem in batting. But the matter of the match is different. In batting, in fielding there you have to do anything. Knee sprains can be more risky for me. But so far all is well.
Q: How did you see the Test match from off the field?
Tamim: I like it very much. At one point in the match we were in a very bad situation. From there I turned around nicely. I am very satisfied with the bowling. I think seniors, juniors বল everyone has tried to do something good with the ball. It was not easy for Zimbabwe to take 20 wickets in the kind of wickets played. Spinners have always been our main strength. I am very proud to see Taskin's spell. When one gets such good results after hard work, it is very good.
Q: Taskin's 75-run innings ...
Tamim: Great! I would say the innings turned the match around. If it wasn't for his innings, the whole game could have been different. Coaches have always said that the role of tail enders in batting is very important. To me, the turning point of this match is 65.
Q: The Test wickets were batting friendly; Mahmudullah, Sadman, Nazmul's century must have been a pity, if you could have played a big innings ...
Tamim: No, cricket is a different game. I might not have played well. I could do better again. I don't think so. I think the decision that was made was the right one for me and for the team.
Q: There may be a long break in your game after the ODI series. The team may not play in three consecutive T20 series due to injury. How much will you miss cricket?
Tamim: Look, that should be done on the advice of the medical department. What they report will depend on how many series or matches I actually miss. And what condition I will be in playing these ODIs is also important. It would not be right to comment on this at the moment.
Q: Does that mean your chances of playing a T20 series against Zimbabwe have not been ruled out yet?
Tamim: My name is still on the player list. Before that I will play three ODIs, let's see what happens after the game. And the medical department has a plan.
Q: There will also be a matter of ICC ODI Super League points in the ODI series. The goal is to win the series 3-0 ...
Tamim: Of course. But the most important thing for me is to win the first match. Yes, our goal in the series will be 30 points. There is no chance to think second. However, Zimbabwe is a better team in ODIs than in Tests. Some good players who were not in the Test team may come in the ODI team. If that happens then the victory will not be easy for us. We will go on the field and win, that is not the case. Speaking from previous experience, there is a little trouble in the morning in Harare wicket. There is no way to say too much about our past record in Zimbabwe. But yes, this is the best team we've had before. As a team we are much stronger now. I definitely hope we get 30 points. But before that you have to play well every minute, every ball, every match.
Question: Bangladesh has won the last 16 ODIs against Zimbabwe. But you have played all these matches at home. Could Zimbabwe's condition be a barrier to winning streak?
Tamim: We are strong against any team, not just Zimbabwe at home. Spin bowling then became our advantage. I can't even get that benefit here. Although our spinners have bowled well in Tests, ODIs are a very short time. So it must be challenging. It may seem to many that we will easily win all the matches in Zimbabwe. But neither I nor my team is taking it that way.
Q: Which division of the team has to play a more important role?
Tamim: Batting, bowling — both. Batsmen have to take responsibility to chase big runs. And bowling is always a matter of winning matches. If you want to win, you have to play well. A lot of times you can win a match by batting fairly if the bowling is very good. And of course fielding ... doing well in fielding is the most important thing for us right now. We've been in this place for the last few series. We have fielded well in the first two matches of the Sri Lanka series. If I hadn't missed some catches in the last match, the result could have been different.
Defense: There are some catches in the test here too. Why is the fielding not improving?
Tamim: Look, you have to catch. The more I try, the more it will be in the game. The main problem is getting caught at important moments. If you have seen New Zealand tour or the third ODI against Sri Lanka, the catch at a time that changed the picture of the game. To overcome this problem we can work hard, practice a lot of fielding. But I do that every day, every session. The good news is that we know it's our problem and we're working on it. The problem is when you pretend not to know.
Question: After returning from the ban, Shakib Al Hasan is not in the same rhythm as before. Do you have any worries about it?
Tamim: Not a drop of worry. Shakib is a very experienced cricketer. And his return to good form seems to me to be just a shot away. He will play a good shot and come back to the rhythm. He has done this many times before. I am sure, will do so many times now and in the future. He is also working hard on the net. Getting back to form is just a matter of time. I believe his best will be seen again very soon.
Q: Any personal goals for you in the series?
Tamim: (Laughter) Play these three matches from healthy.
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