Tamim two boundaries short of getting media off his back: McKenzie

Bangladesh batting consultant Neil McKenzie said that star opener Tamim Iqbal needs just two boundaries more in the Powerplay overs to stop criticism regarding his slow batting in the early overs.

"Tamim puts a lot of pressure on himself. He values his wicket a lot. It is what has made him successful. Maybe it is about trying to loosen him up for one or two balls. If he can get one or two more boundaries, all you guys personnel will get off his back," said Mckenzie.

According to the South African, Tamim, a seasoned player, needs only slight adjustments in his batting.

In the first of three ODIs against Zimbabwe, Tamim took 43 balls to score 24 runs before the left-hander was trapped in front by a Wesley Madhevere delivery.

The left-hander had started his career as an aggressive batsman, but has transformed into a more mature batsman in the last five years and is now seen as a player who plays the anchor role for the Tigers.

However, Tamim has failed to convert his starts to big scores, at least in his last seven innings in the format. Since Tamim's 74-ball 62 against Australia in the World Cup in England last summer, the elegant left-hander's highest has been 36 in seven innings. 

And as a result, the 30-year-old has received a lot of stick from the media. However, according to McKenzie, who has been working with Tamim for the past two years, the left-hander is well aware of his mistakes and he does not need schooling to realise that.  

"He knows his game plans. We are not schoolmasters here. We don't tell anybody what to learn or what to do. We give opinions, thoughts and technical advice, and then it is up to the player to implement it in his game. We are not talking about a young guy. We are talking about a senior man.  Believe me, he knows it before you guys or any of us that he has made a mistake," concluded McKenzie.

Bangladesh take on Zimbabwe in the second ODI tomorrow in Sylhet and with the Tigers flying high in confidence after their 169-run win in first match, this might just be the perfect time for Tamim to get back to a scoring spree.