Bangladesh cricket team’s one-day international captain Tamim Iqbal has finally returned to the field on Sunday (August 16) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur after a break of almost five months due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Bangladesh’s training sessions started last month but Tamim missed out on the training, as he was dealing with severe intestinal pain and had to visit England for health check-up and then followed a two-week-long mandatory quarantine at home upon return from London on August 1.
However, the 31-year-old has got the approval to start the individual training sessions on Sunday at Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) facilities under a special arrangement in Mirpur.
Despite undergoing several pathological tests for his severe intestinal pain, the cause behind the pain is yet to be identified, but seems to be nothing significant and Tamim is hopeful of not having to return to England for treatment anytime soon unless the condition deteriorates, as he was hopeful of making a tour of Sri Lanka in September-November this year.
After returning to training, the ODI captain said the last four months were very tough for him, but the focus was always on the mental side of things during that time.
Tamim said in a media release on Monday (August 17): “To be honest these four months were very tough. BCB had arranged a few sessions with a sports psychologist in these four-five months so that stay stable mentally. I have done a couple of these sessions and these have helped me to be honest. In these four months, we were at home with family but then again there was always a pressure of working at the back of your mind due to all the uncertainties.”
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He added, “Normally we get seven to eight days off after one tour and then we can go somewhere or do something. But these four months our family was concerned with our health issues. Finally, cricket is beginning and it's a good thing as we love it. But these four months were not easy and we must regain our best possible mental state because we have a big tour. I believe we have a good chance.”
Meanwhile, Tamim has insisted that his batting was not as rusty as he had expected but said it will take a couple of weeks to get the rhythm back.
He further noted: “I have practiced after a long time around four to five months. Unexpectedly my batting was not as disappointing as I thought it would be. I think the batting is quite ok and the fitness is also reasonable. But there is a difference between running in the field and doing it on a treadmill.”
Tamim signed off by saying: “Perhaps it will take a couple of weeks but the way we are following the rules is very positive and I hope it will move in this direction. We know when our cricket will start and we are preparing accordingly to give our best.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
