Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin lavished praise on Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal for his courage to bat with a fractured wrist during the 2018 Asia Cup opening match against Sri Lanka.

Tamim picked up the injury in only the third ball when a Suranga Lakmal delivery struck his wrist. Tamim had to be taken to the hospital immediately from the ground, as excessive pain forced him to retire hurt on two not out against Sri Lanka on September 15.

Later, scans confirmed a fracture on Tamim's wrist and now he is expected to be out of action for six weeks, which means he will miss the ongoing edition of the Asia Cup where Bangladesh have made a very good start. 

But the 29-year-old decided to bat for Bangladesh with the fractured hand after returning to the stadium from the Hospital and went on to add 32 runs with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim after they lost nine wickets. The former Indian captain lauded the Bangladesh left-hander for doing an act of such motivation for his country. 

The partnership between Tami and Mushfiqur, who scored 144 helped Bangladesh post a challenging target for the Sri Lankans which they failed to chase down. Bangladesh at the end, won the match by 137 runs. 

As per reports in India Today, Azharuddin told reporters at the sixth edition of Salaam Cricket in Dubai on Monday (September 17), “Much respect for Tamim Iqbal for batting with one hand, it's not easy. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi use to bat with only one eye and it was not easy.”

Bangladesh will next play Afghanistan in the sixth match of the 2018 Asia Cup on September 20 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.