Tamim Iqbal, who was appointed as Bangladesh's new ODI skipper last week, has called for patience to make a difference in his role.

Tamim replaced the veteran pacer Mashrafe Mortaza, who stepped down as captain after the third and final game of a three-match home series against Zimbabwe on March 6.

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“You have to keep patient. Our fans also have to keep patient. I will try to do whatever it takes for the best interest of the team,” Tamim told reporters in Dhaka in his first public interaction following the appointment.

“I am taking over from someone -- it's tough to go to his level straight away. I know it very well. He led us for so many years. We achieved many things under him. It will be unfair if you expect me to go to his level,” he said.

Under Mortaza, Bangladesh made giant strides in 50-over cricket as they made it to the semi-finals of 2015 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy. In all, he captained his country in 88 ODIs, winning 50 and losing 36.

Tamim led Bangladesh in three ODIs against Sri Lanka last year in the absence of injured Mashrafe, but failed to impress as the team coped whitewash.

“If in six months, one year or one-and-a-half years I cannot do anything for the team I will not keep the captaincy,” the left-handed opener said.

While the BCB has appointed Tamim as captain keeping in mind the 2023 World Cup plans, the 30-year-old said he was not thinking that far ahead at the moment.

“If the team does well, I do well, I will start thinking of 2023. At the moment my concentration is on doing a few things right,” he remarked.

Tamim Iqbal’s fresh tenure as ODI captain will start with the one-off ODI against Pakistan in Karachi on April 1.

(With PTI inputs)