Tamim to tie the knot with a buzz

Lovingly yours … Tamim (R) and his would be wife Ayesha

If marrying is the beginning of a new innings in a cricketer's life, then Tamim Iqbal is padding up today. And the opening Bangladesh batsman's partner at the non-striker's end is Ayesha Siddiqa, a bachelor in business administration. And their eight-year relationship is getting public with the gaye holud programme and the wedding ceremony, today and tomorrow, in Chittagong.
Then comes the walima, the grand reception, on the 27th of June at the Golf Garden of Army Golf Club and this is how one of the country's biggest stars will start his new innings.
But before all this is a Mezban, a traditional public feast of Chittagong, which was held yesterday in memory of the late members of the Khan family including the left-handed batsman's father Iqbal Khan.
Tamim has invited around 10,000 guests from all walks of life. The invitees include the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. In short it is an occasion which has taken the centre stage in the sports fraternity -- a stark contrast to the muted affair that was the wedding of Tamim's good friend and the world's best all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan.
"Many wrote that I'm spending Tk 2.50 crore for the programme but it's not true," Tamim told with a laugh when he was talking with The Daily Star Sport yesterday. But the left-hander made it clear that he didn't leave any stone unturned to make the occasion memorable because he has very simple philosophy in his life: "earn money to spend."
Tamim is well-known for his good taste and he drives a luxury BMW, one of his first acquisitions after making it big as a cricket player. He is also often seen using the most fashionable cell phones and posh brand items. For his wedding shopping, Tamim made a detour in Dubai upon his return from the Zimbabwe tour. "The list I got from my in-laws' house was really interesting. I enjoyed that," informed Tamim.
The vastness of his marriage ceremony is just a reflection of his character. "I'm not a person who would like to feel sorry in future for something not done today," was the saying of the Chittagonian.
Shakib might have preferred the quite route but Tamim has a different belief. "I don't know if it might be good as a cricketer if I arrange the programme in small scale but to me and my family this is very important to be in touch with all kind of people and this kind of occasion gives you that chance. You invite someone means you show him respect. And since Allah gave me the opportunity then why not I take this chance?" said Tamim.
But the most important question was how it felt to finally crown a relationship that had stretched eight years.
"I had only Tk 5,000 in my account when she [Ayesha] went for higher education in Malaysia and it was very tough to maintain regular communication with her. But luckily I got a national call-up and I bought a laptop and an air ticket with the match fees from my first international match. There were lot of ups and downs in our relationship but we had the patience to make today's occasion possible," was the reply from the dashing left-hander.
"I was not a starter when we fell in love eight years back and she has little interest in cricket. So one thing is very clear; she loves Tamim the person, not Tamim Iqbal the cricketer," continued the 24-year-old.
Tamim has many besides him including his uncle and former national skipper Akram Khan and his elder brother Nafis to make the occasion successful, but still he could understand how big the deal is. "Things might have been totally different if my father was still alive," he reminisced in a heavy voice.