As he continues his rehabilitation program, Tamim Iqbal, the opener for Bangladesh, is optimistic that he will be well in time to participate in the World Cup in India.
It was agreed that Tamim will finish the rehabilitation program for the back injury rather than play in the next Asia Cup. This decision was made so that Tamim would be eligible for the three-match One-Day International series against New Zealand, which is planned to take place before the World Cup.
Tamim started his net sessions earlier, but it is only envisaged that he would begin full-fledged training on September 7. This is two weeks before the one-day international series against New Zealand. “Things are looking up (in terms of how well rehabilitation is progressing). I believe that according to how my strategy is structured, we are doing just as expected. I haven’t complained about the back pain yet, and there hasn’t been any evidence of serious discomfort since I had the injection. I am fairly pleased with the outcome so far, and I haven’t complained about it either. Although there is some stiffness for one or two days, I am really glad, and everyone who is engaged with the program (recovery), such as the new rehab manager (Kieron Thoms), the national team physio Bayzid, and the national team trainer Nick, is pleased with the progress. On Sunday (August 27), Tamim was cited on Not Out Noman, a popular VDO-based cricket website, saying something along the lines of, “If we can move forward well in that case the series that I am targeting I hope (to make myself available).”
“I think from 7th (September) I can take part in a full net session and there will be no restrictions like I cannot do this or that like you have seen I was facing only throw downs on the opening two days and from now onwards I can use a stick for throw downs. The way it had been planned, everyday there is a tick mark there isn’t a day when we could not do something for any reason apart from one day like I had some pain but that was in my calf.
“It’s important (the five matches before the World Cup – three ODIs against New Zealand and two practice games) but for me what is important is to have proper 10 days of net sessions this is what I feel. Because I have played for so long, I don’t think match could be a big problem for me. Normally if I can do 10 net sessions properly before the first game, I should be ok. It is very good that we are getting five matches and let’s say if I play three to four games before the main event (World Cup) that is positive” he said.
Tamim has acknowledged that his return to the locker room after everything that has occurred in the very recent past might make for an awkward experience. During an emotional news conference on July 6, Tamim startled the cricketing community when he declared that he was retiring from international cricket with immediate effect. His announcement came during the match against Bangladesh.
On the other hand, he changed his mind after receiving assistance from the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In later years, he made the decision to relinquish his role as captain. He did concede that the possibility existed. “I do not believe that all of the duty rests on my shoulders (to cope with it). Because of the amount of money, we spend and the number of people we employ, it is impossible for me to be solely responsible for everything inside such a large cricket board.
“I would be lying if I say everything was fine. The major thing that came to my mind is that I can be angry with someone or an individual can be upset with me and it can happen but I cannot deny that today the position that I am having is because of cricket. Things were not hundred percent perfect and if I hold on to that position and like what I was saying if someone is upset with me or I am upset with someone and when you are going to such an important tournament and you cannot communicate well or there is some sort of uneasiness eventually it will have an impact on the team and I don’t want to be that selfish person, that is the only reason I left captaincy,” he said.
“I have not blamed any individual for what has happened and I always blamed myself. Internally what has been discussed or not should remain internal. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh lot of things comes out in the media. Injury is not the main reason to step down but it was part of it and I definitely thought about a lot of things to step down because I felt whoever is leading, the management and everyone has to be in one floor. Whether we win or lose it doesn’t matter but if we are all in the same level it is better for the team always,” he said.
