Sports

Tamim satisfied with recovery

The Bangladesh opener scored 81 on return against Pakistan in warm-up .

Creative: Omer Asim/creative Jamal Khurshid/afp February 10, 2015

Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal plays a shot during a one-day international warm-up cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Blacktown Sports Park in Sydney on February 9, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

SYDNEY:

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal says he was delighted with his recovery from knee surgery after hitting 81 in the narrow World Cup warm-up loss to Pakistan.

The 25-year-old left-hander showed no ill effects from last month’s operation during a 168-run stand for the third wicket with Mohammad Mahmudullah (83) on Monday.

“It’s quite satisfying to be back after knee surgery and perform well,” said Iqbal. “My goal is to help Bangladesh win as many games as possible.”

“I am quite happy that I could start well on my return. I needed this confidence ahead of a major tournament,” he added.

Despite Iqbal’s efforts, Pakistan surpassed Bangladesh’s total of 246 in the penultimate over and the Tigers will now target a win in Friday’s final warm-up against Ireland.

They will then turn their attention to their February 18 World Cup opener against Afghanistan, a chance for revenge after their shock defeat at last year’s Asia Cup.

“We could take a lot of positives from this practice match. If we can win the next one, everyone will enter the tournament with much confidence,” Iqbal said.

“We have been preparing well and have learnt our lessons of the defeat against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2015.

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