Cricket World Cup Woes: Tamim Iqbal Calls for Better Batting Surfaces Back Home
Following Bangladesh’s disappointing performance in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, legendary batsman Tamim Iqbal has raised concerns over the team’s batting issues and called for the development of more conducive batting pitches in the country.
In a scathing assessment, Tamim questioned the team selection and the lack of intent shown by the Bangladesh batters, particularly in their matches against top-ranked teams Australia and India. The former captain expressed surprise at the decision to leave out experienced pacer Taskin Ahmed, a move that he believes could have hampered the team’s chances against the Indian batting lineup.
Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh all-rounder, acknowledged the team’s batting woes, stating that they were unable to post competitive totals of 175-185 runs, which are typically par scores on the pitches used in this tournament. Shakib attributed this to the team’s unfamiliarity with batting on good, flat wickets, as they are more accustomed to playing on slow and low surfaces in Bangladesh.
“We were unable to post competitive totals of 175-185 runs, which are typically par scores on the pitches used in this tournament. This is due to our unfamiliarity with batting on good, flat wickets, as we are more accustomed to playing on slow and low surfaces in Bangladesh.”
Tamim echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the win-first mentality in Bangladesh cricket has left the batters ill-equipped to handle the challenges of batting on high-scoring pitches. He emphasized the need for a long-term plan to prepare better batting surfaces, even if it means accepting a few losses in the short term, to allow the players to develop their skills and adapt to different conditions.
The former opener also criticized the lack of excitement in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country’s marquee domestic T20 tournament, due to the nature of the pitches. He called for the Bangladesh Cricket Board to move away from the result-oriented approach and focus on creating an environment where both batters and bowlers can thrive and learn.
As the Bangladesh team looks to regroup and find a way to bounce back in the remainder of the World Cup, Tamim’s comments highlight the need for a comprehensive review of the country’s cricket infrastructure and a strategic shift towards the development of better batting surfaces to nurture the next generation of Bangladeshi cricketers.
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