Bangladesh’s new-kid-on-the-block Tanzid Hasan Tamim can certainly claim himself to be lucky. The left-handed opener’s position in the playing XI came under scrutiny following his successive failures in the ongoing ICC World Cup before his maiden ODI half-century against India at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday (October 19).
Tanzid, who idolizes Tamim Iqbal, came up with stroke-filled knock to get another lifeline to his career, considering it would have been interesting to see whether he could have retained his place in the playing XI against India if regular ODI skipper Shakib Al Hasan was available. Shakib was rested for the crucial game due to his quad tear that he sustained in their last game against New Zealand.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if Bangladesh had opted for a new opening pair considering they had eight different ODI opening pairs in 2023 so far- Liton Kumar Das-Tamim Iqbal, Rony Talukdar- Tamim Iqbal, Litton Kumar Das- Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Naim- Tanzid Hasan, Mehedy Hasan Miraz- Mohammad Naim, Tanzid Hasan- Zakir Hasan. Litton- Tanzid Hasan- and it seemed after all these experiments at the top Bangladesh team management eventually settled down for Tanzid and Litton for the time being at least.
Though there were several changes in the batting order, the duo managed to get a permanent batting position in all the four games that they played so far in the competition and it certainly paid dividends at last, precisely for the boy from Bogura, who is expected to fill the shoes of legendary Tamim Iqbal in future.
Bangladesh’s new-look opening pair of Tanzid and Litton certainly repaid the faith of the team management as they put up 93 runs in 14.4 overs, their highest opening stand score in the World Cup, to lay the platform for a big score against India though it went in vain due to the inability of the other batsmen. The middle order failed to capitalize on the platform and that helped India to earn a comfortable seven wicket win.
Litton certainly looked to be in good touch making two half centuries respectively against England and India in the tournament but for Tanzid it was not the case as he failed to impress making 5, 1 and 16 in the opening three games of the tournament that put his place under scrutiny despite the fact that he shined in the two warm-up games respectively against Sri Lanka and England in Guwahati. That impressed the team management to an extent though in reality they hardly managed to deliver before their game against India at crowd-filled MCA.
Tanzid said that he will take confidence from his maiden half-century against India.
“Certainly this innings will give me confidence and the team management that includes the captain and the coach always believed that I can do something good and I am trying from my part to do something,” Tanzid told reporters at the mixed zone after the game.
“I have failed in the last three matches but today I could do something and I will try to work on my lacking,” he said while added that he know this innings hardly have any value from teams perspective.
“If the team does not win this innings become worthless but it feels good if I can contribute for the team,” he said.
Tanzid added that team management, who are known for making experiment one after another with their batting order in the ongoing World Cup, always assured him that he will bat at the top of the order.
“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 said.
Bangladesh interim ODI skipper Najmul Hasan also echoed the same sentiment adding that if someone is backed he should be backed 100 percent by the team management.
“Every batsmen should be backed in this manner (batting in a specific place),” said Najmul.
He should not be backed 50-50 but total hundred percent,” he said while added that they expect more from Tanzid.
“Tanzid played well today but the team expect more and I feel if we all support (him) big innings can be played,” he added.
