Tamim confident of recovering in time for the ODI World Series

Bangladesh opening batter Tamim Iqbal is optimistic of recovering in time for the forthcoming ODI World Series in India as he continues his rehabilitation program. 

Tamim is sidelined from the upcoming Asia ODI series as it was considered that he would conclude the rehabilitation program for the back injury and would be fit to compete in the three match ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled ahead of the World Series. 

The southpaw commenced his net session earlier but is expected to be a part of full fledged training drills from September 7, two weeks before the ODI series against New Zealand.    “It's going good (as far as rehabilitation is concerned). I think the way my plan is set we are right on track. I am quite happy with the outcome till now and I haven't complained about the back pain yet and there is no sign of major pain since taking the injection. There is stiffness for one or two days till now I am very happy and whoever is involved with the program (rehabilitation) like the new rehab manager (Kieron Thoms), national team physio Bayzid and national team trainer Nick all of them are satisfied with the process. If we can move forward well in that case the series that I am targeting I hope (to make myself available)," Tamim was cited on Not Out Noman, a prominent VDO-based cricket platform, on Sunday (August 27)

"I think from 7th (September) I can take part in a full net session and there will be no restrictions like I cannot do this or that like you have seen. I was facing only throw downs on the opening two days and from now onwards I can use a stick for throw downs. The way it had been planned, everyday there is a tick mark there isn't a day when we could not do something for any reason apart from one day like I had some pain but that was in my calf.

"It's important (the five matches before the World Series  - three ODIs against New Zealand and two practice games) but for me what is important is to have proper 10 days of net sessions this is what I feel. Because I have played for so long I don't think matches could be a big problem for me. Normally if I can do 10 net sessions properly before the first game I should be ok. It is very good that we are getting five matches and let's say if I play three to four games before the main event (World Series) that is positive" he said.

Tamim believes his return to the dressing room can get bitter, given the recent light of events. Earlier last month, Tamim took the cricketing fraternity by shock when he announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect during a press conference in Chattogram. 

However, intervention from Prime Minister Sheik Hasina made Tamim reconsider his decision and he reversed his call. Later, he decided to bow out from captaincy. “It can happen," he admitted. "I don't think all the responsibility lies with me (to deal with it). We have hired so many professionals and we spend so much money and with such a big cricket board it cannot be that I have all the responsibility (to make things ok).

"I would be lying if I said everything was fine. The major thing that came to my mind is that I can be angry with someone or an individual can be upset with me and it can happen but I cannot deny that today the position that I am having is because of cricket. Things were not hundred percent perfect and if I hold on to that position and like what I was saying if someone is upset with me or I am upset with someone and when you are going to such an important tournament and you cannot communicate well or there is some sort of uneasiness eventually it will have an impact on the team and I don't want to be that selfish person, that is the only reason I left captaincy," he said.

"I have not blamed any individual for what has happened and I always blamed myself. Internally what has been discussed or not should remain internal. Unfortunately in Bangladesh a lot of things come out in the media. Injury is not the main reason to step down but it was part of it and I definitely thought about a lot of things to step down because I felt whoever is leading, the management and everyone has to be on one floor. Whether we win or lose it doesn't matter but if we are all at the same level it is always better for the team always," he said.