Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh’s new best batsman, was born in Chittagong on March 20, 1989. Because of his vigorous stroke play at the start of the innings, the left-handed opener has been likened to Virender Sehwag, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Tamim is the second Bangladeshi player to be called to the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack and Wisden Test Player of the Year in 2011.
Early Days
Tamim, the nephew of former Bangladeshi captain Akram Khan, inherited the opportunity for greatness from his family. As Tamim’s brother, Nafees, was also a Test cricketer for Bangladesh, his father used to hold small cricket tournaments to train his sons.
Tamim started his first-class career in 2004 with Chittagong Division, his hometown club. He was selected to the Under-19 Bangladesh squad for the 2006 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup after turning in good performances for his side.
Tamim, who was just 17 at the time, demonstrated incredible bravery and confidence when he reached 112 off only 71 balls to lead his team to victory against England. His batting prowess was quickly recognised, and he was called up to the national team.
Debut
At the age of 18, Tamim made his ODI debut in the third match of Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2007. Despite only scoring 5 runs, selectors recognised his talent and named him to the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup team.
Tamim revealed his arrival in style, with the whole world watching. Tamim was at the forefront when Bangladesh defeated India in the group stage, scoring 53 points to lead his team to victory.
In 2008, he made his Test debut against New Zealand, where he scored half centuries in both innings and the world was introduced to a new face. His first century came in a Test against the West Indies in 2009, when he helped Bangladesh to their first international match.
Rise to Glory
Tamim Iqbal had established himself as a trustworthy opener, and it was now time for him to ascend the stairwell. Tamim replied with an offensive counter-attack when Charles Coventry equaled Saeed Anwar’s record of highest ODI score (194) in a match against Bangladesh in 2009. Bangladesh won the match after he scored 154 runs.
He became the first Bangladeshi batsman to cross 1000 runs in Test cricket in 2010, doing so in just 19 innings. Tamim was awarded the vice captaincy after scoring two centuries in a row against England.
When he was contracted to play for Nottinghamshire in 2011, he became just the second Bangladeshi player to play county cricket. In 2012, he was signed by the Wellington Firebirds, making him the first Bangladeshi player to feature in New Zealand’s domestic league.
Tamim returned with a bang in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, where he was the highest scorer and became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score a century in the format.
He became the first Bangladeshi player to score 10,000 runs in international cricket when he did so in 2017. In the same year, he was called to the World XI.
Low Points
Tamim was hospitalised with a tear in his left knee in 2014, which forced him to leave the team for six months. In 2015, he returned in time for the World Cup, but he did not do well.
He fractured his little finger in late 2016 and was sidelined for three weeks. However, it wasn’t until March 2017 that he recovered his form, scoring 207 runs in two matches against Sri Lanka.
Club Career
Tamim Iqbal has played in the Bangladesh Premier League for Duronto Rajshahi, Chittagong Vikings, Chittagong Kings, and Comilla Victorians (current). In the Pakistan Super League, he plays for Peshawar Zalmi.
Iqbal’s Record in Numbers
Tamim Iqbal holds the record for the most runs scored by a Bangladeshi player in international cricket. With 17 centuries in all formats to his credit, he also holds the record for the most centuries in Bangladesh.