End-over failure angers Tamim
Prior to yesterday the last time Tamim Iqbal addressed the media was following Chittagong Vikings' unexpected defeat at the hands of Khulna Titans.
Chittagong needed seven runs from six balls with two set batsmen at the crease and yet, somehow managed to lose that game. Following that match an angry Tamim had urged his batsmen to use their brains on the field.
The scenario yesterday seemed to be as frustrating for the left-hander. He scored a brilliant 75 and had taken the Vikings to 116 for no loss in 13 overs before he got dismissed. And yet, in the last seven overs, Chittagong managed to post just 47 runs. It was something that irritated the national opener.
“I think I am definitely frustrated and you [the audience] will also get frustrated by watching these kinds of games. There is no meaning in scoring just 40 runs in eight overs. You don't expect that from such a heavy batting lineup.
“Also, we gave away boundaries in almost every over with the ball. If we play like this, no matter how good a player or coach or captain you bring, it won't be possible to stop the losing streak,” said Tamim after the match yesterday.
After four games, the Vikings are, like last season, languishing at the bottom of the table. Tamim reckons that they will have to vastly improve their game if they want to have any chance of making it to the playoffs.
“The disappointing thing is that we are very strong on pen and paper and it feels bad for the franchise owners. They have been fantastic since the last season and as players we haven't been able to give them anything. It feels bad.
“It's not that no one is trying. We are. But somehow we are not clicking. We still have eight matches to go. If we can somehow understand our problems and make a comeback… you never know,” explained the Chittagong skipper.
Mushfiqur Rahim on the other hand was anything but disappointed. He completed 1,000 BPL runs yesterday and is currently the second-highest scorer this season.
His teammate Shahriar Nafees tops the list at the moment with 184 runs in four matches with an astounding average of 61.33. Both Mushfiqur and Tamim praised the former national cricketer.
“Dawid Malan played a brilliant knock and we got the powerful start we needed from the top. However, I feel that the team that has the best performing local players will end up winning the competition. And from that aspect, Shahriar Nafees's performance is very important for us.
“He is playing amazingly well. In the last four matches his performance was very suitable and he brought plenty of stability in our middle order,” said Mushfiqur.
Tamim echoed Mushfiqur's sentiments.
Ï watched his game from the stadium in the last match and honestly speaking I am enjoying watching him. He has found a way to successfully score in each game. I think at this moment he is the best batsman of the league,” said Tamim.
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