Tamim available for ODI opener despite not being 100pc fit

Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal declared himself available for the three-match ODI series opener against Afghanistan despite not being hundred percent fit. Tamim's availability has remained a major concern for Bangladesh with the veteran batter missing out on the one-off Test last month due to back issues, reports Cricbuzz.

Tamim didn't look comfortable in practice following that assignment and struggled with back during the fielding and batting sessions as well. The left-handed opener batted against throwdowns for 20 minutes at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday but did not partake in Tuesday's session.

"I'm definitely available for tomorrow. Physically, I am in a better state than before but I won't say I am at hundred percent," Tamim told reporters at Chattogram. "After the game tomorrow, I will be able to understand what's the situation but till now, [the decision is] I am playing tomorrow," he said.

The Bangladesh captain, however, was quick to add that he wouldn't override medical advice to push himself in match play. "I think that's more of an idea because I need to see how much I am able to cope and how much I can't," said Tamim. "But I won't do something through which the team suffers. I always say that the team comes before any individual.

"Right now I feel that I am ready for tomorrow, but during the game if I feel that I am not ready and it can be too risky then I, along with the medical department, will take a decision. For now I am fit to play tomorrow and let's see what happens next match," he added.

Tamim said that he is expecting a tough challenge from the Afghans after a rather comfortable victory in the Test and added that Bangladesh will consider a different pace bowling combination for the series.

"They are one of the best bowling units in white-ball format so I am expecting it to be challenging and it is not like we will walk in the park and win the game because we have to give our best to win the game," he said.