Tamim calls for patience as Bangladesh face complete limited-overs rout

Facing a clean sweep of the limited-overs series by New Zealand, Tamim Iqbal has asked for patience from every section of the Bangladesh team.

After a 3-0 whitewash in the ODIs, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and his men are 2-0 down in Twenty20 International series. They look for a consolation win in the last T20 at the Bay Oval on Sunday.

With the word ‘patience’ becoming a catchphrase for the Bangladesh players ahead of Sunday’s game, Tamim also asked for the same mentality from the fans back home who still wait for the Tigers’ first success in an overseas bilateral tour after two years.

Tamim’s performance in the 22-yard centrestage is somewhat at odds with what he asks from the others.

The left-handed opener has reached double figures in each of his five innings but could managed just one half-century.

He, however, owned up his shortcoming in the series so far.

“To say the truth none of our performances have been up to the mark, especially that of the batsmen. The worst thing is no one could go big after getting starts,” Tamim said on Saturday.

“Speaking about myself, despite beginning well in almost each match, I could not utilise the chances. In that case, me and the others are obviously disappointed.”

Yet amidst all the letdowns through the tour, Tamim picked out what still gave him hope.

“We have created chances in almost every match. Sometimes it felt we might win. Not taking everything as a negative, we may focus on another take.

“We had been unable to create chances in our earlier visits here. But this time everyone believes we can win. But it is definitely frustrating that in the end we could not.

“But the fact that we managed to create chances, I think, it should be taken as a positive.”

Tamim thinks learning to winning is a process. Having gone through it in their backyard, now they have embarked in a quest to achieve that outside home turf.

“This is the team that played extraordinary cricket on home soil last two years. In those times when we could not win, the word was we had to start winning at home, then abroad,” Tamim said.

“We are now winning at home and after that, this is our first complete overseas tour.”

He feels the setbacks they suffered through the limited-overs series so far are all part of the learning curve.

“If we can hold on to the chances better, we will begin winning matches. Everything needs time. I think we should all be patient.

He empathised with the disappointment of their supporters but insisted that the players were giving their best.

“There is no shortage of commitment from the players. From the captain, all the cricketers to the team management, we are all trying to win for Bangladesh,” Tamim added.

“Maybe many of our supporters will be unhappy with us after this. But from our part we only want you to compare [the tour of] 2010 and this tour...”

“The fans’ frustration is quite natural. But everyone has to be a bit patient taking overseas conditions into account. About 10 of our 22 players came into these conditions or the first time and it is a big factor.

“It won’t happen overnight, it will take time. We had to wait 10 years for the success we are enjoying at home. We need regular tours overseas to do well in conditions outside our country.

“But if we don’t make the little mistake and improve by bits, then something good may happen.”

If Tamim and Co are a bit patient on the field, however, the supporters may not have to wait too long.