Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal opined that people were talking too much about the ages of cricketers in the national team, saying only the best players make it into the national squad and playing eleven.
Speaking ahead of his departure for Zimbabwe, Tamim said: “I think people have been talking too much about young and old recently. Only the most capable 15 get a chance in the squad and the best possible 11 are chosen. It can happen that some players don’t get game time, but we look to give them chances at any opportunity that arises. This is an international series, not a local match in the neighbourhood where we can play whoever we want. Whoever deserves a place will play.”
Tamim also believed that youngsters were finding ample opportunities to perform in recent times, pointing the previously concluded tour of the West Indies and the relatively young T20I side named for the Zimbabwe tour.
“I think youngsters are getting all the opportunities now. There are 15 players in the squad so it’s not possible to play everyone. But if you cast your eyes back to the last series, all the youngsters played. If you look at this series, yes Mushfiqur [Rahim] is being included and he is a very, very important player for us. But everyone is playing. “
As far as plans went, Tamim insisted that a change in personnel did not change their approach, but he did warn that it would not be all smooth sailing.
“The plan will be the same: to win games. I don’t believe it matters who is ahead and who is behind; it’s more important who is playing well. We are undoubtedly a better team than Zimbabwe but it is not that they are easily beatable at home. If you look at the past few series, even a team like Pakistan has lost there.
“There is no chance for us to relax. We have to be switched on from ball one if we want to do well. Like I said, we are definitely a better team but when it comes to winning games, it matters who plays better on the day. Being the better team overall isn’t enough. If we play well, we will win.”
As for newly-appointed T20I skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan, Tamim wished him the best of luck.
“These are exciting times for Nurul [Hasan Sohan]. I spoke to him just a while ago and wished him. He has played the role of captain in the domestic circuit but this will be a different challenge, a new challenge for him. I’m sure and I pray that he will do well.”
