Tamim Iqbal Feels They Still Have a Chance to Qualify for the Semifinals

Bangladesh was defeated by the defending champion, Australia by 48 runs at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 on Thursday. Bangladeshi opener order batsmen, Tamim Iqbal suggested that the inexperience of chasing big totals cost them the match. However, Tamim Iqbal feels that they can still qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Tamim Iqbal told the reporters in the post-match press conference, “The truth is that we don’t have much experience of chasing big totals. I was not looking at the scoreboard but the way I was planning was that if we can score around 180-200 runs in 30 overs then in the last twenty overs we would be able to take some chances.”

Tamim Iqbal also suggested that playing aggressive from the start wouldn’t have helped as they would end up giving wickets. He continued, “Because if you try to play too aggressive at the start and find yourself in a spot of bother then this 330-340 runs wouldn’t have been possible too. If we need to score 160-170 runs [in the last 20 overs], which is usually chased down in T20 cricket we could give it a try but unfortunately when we had to capitalize.”

Tamim Iqbal revealed that he got out at the wrong time when a good partnership was building. He further added, “I got out when I and Mushfiqur were going well while Shakib also got out when we were building a good partnership. We played well but could have played better if we didn’t lose wickets at the wrong times.”

“The one positive thing is that in the last two matches we have scored above 300 runs. and both in chasing, it gives you a belief as a batsman that, if we restrict them at 320 or 330, there is a chance to chase that down,” Tamim said. “If you look at our bowling, you will see, there was a spell of 3-4 overs, where the match got out of our control. Everyone has committed some mistakes, for that we lost and we will try to minimize that. “

Tamim Iqbal feels that there still are chances for them to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. “See, we still have a chance. I think none of the teammate steps are thinking that way, the one thing they are thinking is that, if we win last three matches, there might be an opportunity to qualify for the semifinal,” he said.

“So, till now we are at this point, god forbid if that situation comes that no opportunity is left then we will think about the fifth position,” Iqbal added further.