Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal on Wednesday regretted his lack of opportunities to play more Test matches and said with more opportunities he could have excelled more in Test arena.
Tamim, who is statistically the most successful Bangladeshi batsman across all formats till date, made his debut on January 4, 2008 and has played only 42 Test matches while Tigers have played just 44 during that period.
The southpaw has made 3118 runs at an average of 39.46 with seven centuries and 18 half-centuries so far.
Bangladesh by far played the least number of Tests comparing to the other teams since Tamim earned his first Test cap against New Zealand at the University Oval in Dunedin.
Since Tamim’s debut match over the past nine-and-half year, England have played 107 Test matches, while Australia and India played 98 and 83 Test matches respectively.
South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka all played at least 74 matches while West Indies featured in 72 Test matches. Even Pakistan, who have not been playing in their home soil since March 4, 2009, have played as many as 62 Tests in that period.
Only Zimbabwe played lesser number of Tests (14) than Bangladesh in this period but the African side imposed self-embargo for years and refrained themselves from playing Tests during the era.
‘The players who started their career with me have now already played 80-90 matches. I feel bad as I could score more runs if I could play more,’ said Tamim while speaking to the press on the sideline of a training session on Wednesday.
Tamim said the lack of games breaks the rhythm and that makes their tasks harder.
‘Whenever someone stays in a rhythm, whether in cricket or in any other avenue that helps to get success, but when it breaks things become difficult.
‘We have been facing this difficulty over the last 10 years. Apart from last year we could not play regularly.’
But the dashing batsman said the situation will only change if they can put more and more good performances against the top teams.
‘I always say it is not in our hand but we can change it with our performance. If we play well, win big matches then big teams will be interested to play with us.
‘Whatever I say, or whatever logic we provide I think it completely depends on the players. If we can show good result in Test we may play more Tests.’
Tamim, who has been the integral part for the Bangladesh side since his international debut back in 2007, said that the team has transformed and with a lot more positive mindset and culture they look forward to improve all the time.
‘Bangladesh have improved a lot. Once upon a time, for example, we had to struggle with fitness. We had to be pushed to do things. Many of us would be reluctant.
‘But now we need no push. We know what to do, if we have to play for a long time we must remain fit.
‘We are doing it with our own motivations. Not only the senior players but all the junior players as well are doing it. It is a huge improvement. We have built up a culture and we want to sustain that.’
Tamim believed if he and other senior members of the side can lift the side to one level higher they will end their career on a satisfying note.
‘As far as I am concerned we have many matches on next four to five years at home and abroad. If we can do well on those matches we will uplift our level one step.
‘We, the senior players, will play for another six or seven more years, if we can lift the team one level, we will consider it as our success.’
-With New Age input
