Over the past few days, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal's friendship has been the talk of Bangladesh cricket. It is true that their bond is now strained, yet previously the two were Harihar's spirits. This article is also evidence of that. Shakib Al Hasan had a regular column in Prothom Alo from 2010 until 2012. The column's theme was predetermined from the start. Shakib simply intended to write one column by himself. Tamim Iqbal was the focus of that piece. What appeared in the Prothom Alo on December 14, 2010.
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| Tamim Iqbal at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, UK in 2010 |
Tamim Iqbal is still the same Tamim Iqbal after returning from injury, in my opinion. Nonetheless, he felt compelled to play large innings in order to improve his confidence. After failing to make an impression in the previous three matches against Zimbabwe, there was a strong desire to impress in the last encounter. He accomplished it, even though he didn't earn the century for five runs!
Tamim's opinions are entirely about cricket, specifically batting. As projected before the last match, if he scores 105 runs in this match, his ODI average will rise to 30. Calculate this ahead of time! I can't even imagine it. If I don't worry about the game a bit more than normal, but not so much that if I do 105, my average will be 30.
But Raj (Razzak) bhai is perhaps the most disappointed because Tamim did not hit a century. He informed Raj Bhai before the game that if he scored a century, he would buy him an iPhone. 'Do a hundred...Do a hundred...' Raj Bhai was just praying.
There are aspects of Tamim that few people notice. Before this series, Khokon promised the Sohail brothers (Team Boy) that if they scored two centuries, he would buy them a vehicle. Because of my lengthy connection with Tamim, I know that if he scored two centuries, he would definitely purchase a vehicle!
Mohammedan had a fast bowler called Eamon last season. Tamim informed him before a match that if he played well, he would buy him an iPhone, which he eventually delivered him. There's even more... Tamim frequently practices hard shots at center wicket with the groundsmen after team practice. Whoever can get him out or take a catch in that drill, keeps paying him 1,500. That's money every time you catch or get out! Apart from that, when someone unexpectedly required assistance, Tamim was the first to volunteer. By doing these things, I've seen him play well.
Tamim and I first met at a U-15 team camp at BKSP. After that, I was a member of the U-17 and U-19 squads. But after joining the national squad, we became fast friends. Since then, we've come to know one other better. We've spent the most of our time together since 2006. We spend very little time apart, whether we're going out to eat or travelling somewhere. The situation has become more problematic now that they both live in the same building.
But, look, we don't have anything in common in terms of personality. The only thing they have in common is that they are both extremely obstinate. We've never had any big disagreements, but every now and again, one of us will go ahead and reconcile. Yet it felt nice at the time. I didn't say anything, but there was no discussion of service for a long time. When I got 92 points against Sri Lanka in January of last year, Bangladesh won the match.... I hugged him and sobbed at the end of the game! They have since resumed their conversation.
Another excellent attribute of Tamim is that he is always available for his teammates. Both within and outside the field. In each situation, everyone wants his guidance. If someone wants to purchase a car and asks Tamim, 'Which one is best to buy, friend?' Tamim leaps to his feet. Tamim can tell you which restaurants are suitable for a gathering. Maybe I'm not understanding it right...but these are significant issues in different contexts. Not everyone can or wants to assist.
Yet no matter how nice Tamim is, there is always a thorn in his side. 'How many centuries did you get in Test?' he asked. 'What is your ODI average?' I asked. The day before yesterday, the same thing happened. He returned to the dressing room after going out for 95, and he was initially in a foul mood. After a little moment of calm, I said, 'Man, how many centuries have you scored so far?' 'How many have you scored in white clothes?' he asked right away.
Source: Prothom Alo