Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal stroked a magnificent century against Pakistan in the opening game of the three-match ODI series to give a fitting reply to his critics at Mirpur on Friday. The full-packed stadium witnessed the left-hander making 132 off 135 balls with the help of 15 fours and three sixes for his fifth ODI century and first on home soil in five years.The innings enabled Bangladesh post their highest ever ODI score of 329-6 as Mushfiqur Rahim joined Tamim to add another century and shared a record 178-run partnership for the third wicket.
The hundred was pleasing for the Southpaw as it came against the backdrop of some sharp criticism about his form and fitness despite him playing a match-winning knock of 95 against Scotland in the World Cup only three matches ago.
After that innings at Nelson Tamim had appealed to the fans for keeping the patience and give him some support in time of need.
But everyone seemed oblivious as he followed the feat with 2, 13 and 25 and a lot of people started questioning his place in the team once again.
Tamim was desperately trying to return to his scoring self and even forced the selectors to include him in the squad for a warm-up match against Pakistan.
He could score just nine runs in the match making the criticism against him louder, though he received full backing from coach Chandika Hathurusinghe.
A section of BCB officials, who never waste an opportunity to meddle in the selection process, however, was not as generous as Hathurusinghe.
They were always vocal against him, which perhaps prompted Tamim to make a unique gesture while celebrating his century on Friday.
Tamim famously raised four fingers to celebrate his four fifties in the Asia Cup in 2012 when he was under similar pressure for his place.
The then BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal had dropped his name from the squad prompting chief selector Akram Khan to quit his post.
Tamim returned to the team only after interference from the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the opener repaid with four crucial fifties.
Though his situation was not as precarious as it was in 2012, yet it was not all that pleasing either. His days in the team were being numbered and Tamim needed an emphatic innings like this to remind all his abilities.
Friday’s century was more relieving because it reminded of his old self with somewhat new approach that was missing only making him the sufferer.
Tamim scored his last ODI century at home five years back against England in 2010 and has since changed his batting style to an extent that everybody had apparently forgotten his stroke making ability.
He chose this game to demonstrate the skill, though unlike the beginning of his career his approach was mathematical this time.
He punished the short ball early in his innings, paid Saeed Ajmal and Wahab Riaz their due respect when Pakistan were building momentum before exploding with a worthy partner in Mushfiq at the other end.
By the time he made his first serious mistake in the game to give a catch to Mohammad Rizwan off Wahab, Bangladesh were placed comfortably in the game.
-With New Age input
