World Cup: Fit-Again Tamim Iqbal Delighted With Recovery
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal showed no ill effects from last month's knee operation as he hit 81 in the narrow World Cup warm-up loss to Pakistan.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: February 10, 2015 06:34 PM IST
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. (Fitness Will be Key; Steyn, Johnson, Anderson Will be Deadly)
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. (Shakib Al Hasan in Andy Bichel's List of Top-10 All-Rounders)
"We have been preparing well and have learnt our lessons of the defeat against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup," he added. (Tamed Tigers Hope to Bite at World Cup)