Tamim to play today

Bangladesh cricket team’s morale will be boosted with in-form opener Tamim Iqbal coming back into the fold for the crucial Super Ten clash against India at Bangalore today scheduled to start at 8:00pm local time.

Tamim missed the last game against Australia due to fever and food poisoning, and has recuperated well enough to play today’s match, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo. Tigers felt his absence dearly and didn’t get the start they needed for a successful chase.

When Shakib Al Hasan spoke to the media, he said that Bangladesh needed to exploit the first six overs, which was something they failed to do in the first two games against Pakistan and Australia. Therefore, Tamim’s inclusion for the match against the Men in Blue is even more vital for wiping off the batting woes in the power-play overs.

Read more: Opening woes clear in Tamim's absence

Since July 2015, Tamim's opening partner Soumya Sarkar has averaged 16.28 in 14 T20Is at a strike rate of 108.57. Only three of his innings have exceeded 25 during that time, while he has been dismissed for less than 20 in eight of those innings.

The Southpaw’s replacement Mohammad Mithun hit some form against Australia but entered the game with an average of 10 from his nine T20Is.

Read more: 'Losing Tamim was a setback'

Fortunately, Tamim is back for today’s match against India, but that solves only half the problem. The team management has shown an acute lack of imagination and flexibility while dealing with the opening dilemma…both Soumya and Mithun need to pull up their socks really quickly…can’t leave it for others to deliver anymore!