Tamim goes Outlaws

Tamim Iqbal’s dream of playing in English county cricket is about to be a reality as the dashing opener is all set to be signed up by Nottinghamshire.
Bangladesh vice-captain Tamim yesterday informed that Notts Outlaws confirmed his services for the next six matches in the Friends Life t20 tournament. Tamim will be the second Bangladeshi player to play in the English county circuit after captain Shakib Al Hasan, who is now playing his second season with Worcestershire.
Nottinghamshire, who are now leading the North Group with nine points in six matches, roped in the Chittagonian as a replacement for Australian all-rounder David Hussey, for whom Nottinghamshire were fined for playing him as an unregistered player.
Hussey is returning to Australia to prepare for his country’s one-day series against Sri Lanka and will play his final game for the county against Lancashire Lightning on June 26.
Local agent Armada Aces has negotiated the deal with Nottinghamshire, who are playing in Division One of the competition. Coach Mick Newell, who was one of applicants for the head coach of the Tigers, first congratulated the Tigers vice-captain on Wednesday night.
“Finding quality overseas players at short notice is always a challenge but we are very pleased to have agreed a deal with a player of Tamim’s quality,” said Newell.
Tamim, who came to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) office in Mirpur to get the NOC (no objection certificate) yesterday, however was not ready to disclose the news until he put pen to paper as luck had gone against him several times in regard to playing T20 cricket.
“You know luck was not favouring me in this matter. And also I think I had chosen wrong agent previously and for that I had to wait for long to make my dream come true. Now it’s feeling really great as Nottinghamshire confirmed me for the next six matches in the T20 competition,” said an excited Tamim while talking with reporters.
“I am really happy that I am going to play county cricket. I’m little bothered about the financial package, rather I am excited as I have got an opportunity to show my mettle. It’s also an opportunity to make the country proud,” he added.
Tamim informed that he must fly for England before June 29 as he has a match on July 1. “Everything is now depending on when I get the visa. If everything goes smoothly then I will fly for England before June 29, but it’s also subject to confirmation of the registration,” said Tamim.
Tamim will return home by July 20 to join the national team to play one Test and five one-day internationals in Zimbabwe. Bangladesh team is scheduled to fly out for Zimbabwe on July 29.
Tamim has however virtually no chance to play in the quarterfinals in the first week of August if his team qualifies because he will then be busy with the national team in Zimbabwe.
“My main target will be to capitalise on every opportunity in the competition so that I can continue with the county,” said Tamim, who will get a chance to play two games against his national teammate Shakib.