Not bothered by low strike rate: Tamim

Serving team is only thing that matters, he says

FE Team | Published: May 11, 2019 21:07:21

Tamim Iqbal

When Tamim Iqbal started his career in 2007, he batted aggressively and played with the intention of smashing every ball to the boundary.
But now, he is a calm guy who bats with a slower strike rate. The southpaw says the change in style is only to serve the team, reports UNB.
Tamim is now playing in the tri-nation series in Ireland, where the Tigers played a match against West Indies and won by eight wickets. He contributed with 80 runs.
He, however, was reprimanded by his critics for his slow strike rate. He played 116 deliveries to score 80 at a strike rate of 68.97.
But he said he is not bothered with his slow batting style.
"Can't I play big shots if I want? Of course, I do. But the thing is, we play to serve the purpose of the team. There's nothing bigger than to serve the team," he told reporters when asked about his strike rate in recent time.
"What's the point of having a strike rate of 150 and see the team lose? It's better for me to play at a strike rate of 50 and help the team win," he said.
The top order batsman said the team wanted him to stay in the middle for up to 35-40 overs. "I have to keep that in mind when I bat," Tamim told reporters.
Meanwhile, Tamim Iqbal applauded his opening partner Soumya Sarkar for his calm approach in the middle.
Bangladesh won their first match in the ongoing tri-nation series in Ireland against West Indies. Soumya contributed with a solid 73 off 68 with a six and nine fours.
Tamim and Soumya added 144 runs in the first wicket stand, which is now Bangladesh's biggest opening stand outside the home soil. At the same time, it was the biggest first wicket stand of the Tigers against West Indies as well.
"It was tough for me to score runs at a certain point of my innings. I was playing well but the ball was going straight to the fielders. I don't know why nothing was going right at the wicket," Tamim told the media on Friday after a practice session in Dublin.