'Bowlers contributed to our progress'

Shakib Al Hasan had talked about it just being a game two days before the first ODI in Kimberley, and while Tamim Iqbal does not have the same insouciance that his teammate does, the left-hander seemed to be singing from the same songbook yesterday when he sought to play down the hysteria surrounding Bangladesh's dismal showing in South Africa so far, especially after the 10-wicket defeat in the first ODI.

The bowlers were hit all around the park by Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock as they notched the highest unbeaten opening partnership in a successful chase. Speaking ahead of the second ODI today at Boland Park in Paarl, Tamim however batted for his beleaguered bowling mates.

"There has been a lot of talk about the bowlers and while they are not up to the mark, it is also unfair to forget that they made contributions to our progress in the last two years," said Tamim, and the focus of his sympathy seemed to be Taskin Ahmed, who was taken for 61 runs in eight overs on Sunday. "Mustafizur [Rahman] was highlighted during the India series but I personally felt that Taskin played a major role by giving us breakthroughs. Rubel's performance against South Africa [in 2015] also shouldn't be forgotten. When they are not doing well, we should get behind them and support them. I am sure tomorrow or the next game or the next series, they will come back.

"We are not playing great cricket and we know it," said Tamim of the first ODI, where they scored 278 for seven. "It would have been a complete batting performance had we scored 300-plus. We weren't up to the mark with our bowling, especially in these conditions against this opposition. We couldn't take early wickets which hurt us, but we will try to do this in the next game."

Bangladesh have not been able to take wickets throughout the tour, totalling a meagre 25 scalps across five games including the two practice matches. With their bowling so far in mind, it may be hard to share Tamim's confidence.

"The world depends on hope; we do that too," said Tamim when his declaration of confidence in the bowlers was met with scepticism. "We believe that we can do it. It is a new game, a new day. We have taken lessons as a group, so I will hope to rectify these mistakes and get better."

He also spoke out in support of Shakib, whose bowling has not been very incisive of late. "When Shakib or Mustafizur bowls, we want a wicket every over. It is not possible. People will have good and bad days. We are talking about the same guy who won us a Test a month ago with his brilliant bowling."

Bowling is only half the problem however. Sunday's 278 was the best batting performance on tour but it was still built around an outstanding innings from Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 110, while the rest continued the old habit of getting set and then getting out.

"I think some batsmen were unlucky. Imrul [Kayes, the next highest scorer with 31] did all the hard work but got out down the leg side which happened in the second Test and in the first ODI," said Tamim of the batsman with whom he formed Bangladesh's most successful opening pair in Tests. "He played the appropriate shot and the bowler too does not expect a wicket off that ball. If we can convert the 20s and 30s to 60s and 70s, we will score more runs as a team. I think all the batsmen know they need big scores but I have zero complaints against their work ethic. They need to be luckier and smarter."