Sublime Tamim goes past Mushfiqur

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has joined the Test double century club, registering the Tigers’ highest individual score in the second innings of the Khulna Test against Pakistan.

He surpassed Mushfiqur Rahim’s 200, against Sri Lanka in Galle, as he carved a landmark 206 off 278 balls plundering 17 boundaries and seven sixes at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on Friday.

Tamim cracked two centuries during their England tour in 2010. He had to wait till November last year to score another Test ton, against Zimbabwe in Khulna, and went on to score another in the next Test in Chittagong, when he combined with Imrul Kayes for 224 runs.

The partnership stood as Bangladesh’s highest for first wicket till the same pair smashed it with their world record breaking 312-run stand to notch the highest-ever opening stand in the second innings on Friday.

Tamim had been in fine form before the Test series against Pakistan scoring back-to-back centuries in the ODI series. He carried his confidence into the Test series.

After an impressive run in 2010, when he also smashed his previous personal best, 151, against India in Dhaka, Tamim went through a bad patch.

He came under harsh criticism in the four years in which he languished as a shadow of his former self. But the 26-year old’s resurgence against Pakistan has set to rest all criticisms.

Bangladesh faced a daunting task after Pakistan racked up a massive first innings lead of 296. But Tamim defied all odds and shone in his career-best innings.

“I am very pleased. Whatever I planed came off nicely. It was a much-needed innings for me and my team as well,” said Tamim at the presentation ceremony.

“I was in an attacking mode, he [Kayes] was controlling the innings. It was a great combination.”

Tamim ploughed through the Pakistan lead undermining a personal loss on Friday. 
Even after hearing the news of his aunt’s demise, he held on with firm resolve and raced to his seventh Test century, highest among Bangladesh batsman.

Tamim shouldered much of the responsibility of seeing the Tigers through to safety. He started with an overnight score of 138 and kept moving forward despite losing Kayes and Mominul Haque at the other end.

Tamim surpassed Mominul’s 181, cracking a boundary and bludgeoned spinner Yasir Shah for two consecutive sixes to cross Mohammad Ashraful’s 190.

There was no let up from him as he hammered pacer Junaid Khan straight over for another six to reach the milestone in 264 balls and claim the top individual score for himself.

“296 runs behind was a tough challenge. I played my role, Imrul played his role, Shakib and Mahmudullah did their job.

“It was a team effort. We have done well in ODIs. We are continuing the good efforts in Tests. We have a big summer coming up.”