Former Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal praised Shakib Al Hasan for his Man of the Match performance against the Netherlands in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Under the captaincy of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh played their third Group D match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, held in the USA and West Indies. The Bangla Tigers, who have never advanced beyond the second round of the tournament, aim to achieve the unthinkable in this edition.

Bangladesh aims to reach the Super 8s stage for the first time

They have already secured their place in the Super 8s after a resounding win over the Netherlands yesterday. In the previous two matches, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka but lost to South Africa in their second group game. The Asians are poised to finish in the top two spots of Group D, with one game remaining against Nepal.

The Bangla Tigers will undoubtedly aim to defeat Nepal in a few days, but their primary objective is to qualify for the final four. For this to happen, Shakib Al Hasan’s form will be crucial, and his performance against the Netherlands was a positive sign for Bangladesh.

What did Tamim Iqbal say about Shakib Al Hasan’s performance against the Netherlands?

Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan have frequently been associated with each other for less than favorable reasons. The left-handed all-rounder has previously criticized the opening batsman for perceived selfishness and neglect of the team’s needs. Their most recent verbal clash came to light before the commencement of the 50-over Cricket World Cup in India last year.

However, in his recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Tamim Iqbal appeared unperturbed by his strained relationship with Shakib Al Hasan. When asked whether Shakib had proven his worth to Bangladesh by being named the man of the match against the Netherlands, Iqbal’s response was awaited.

“Was Shakib able to demonstrate the significance of his experience today, performing well in a high-pressure match?” Tamim was questioned.

In reply, Tamim Iqbal emphasized that both Bangladesh and the cricketing world recognize the significance of Shakib Al Hasan. Iqbal pointed out that Shakib has been an integral part of the national team for the past 16-17 years, underscoring that he doesn’t need validation from anyone regarding his worth.

Tamim Iqbal expressed his satisfaction in witnessing Shakib Al Hasan emerge from a brief rough patch, highlighting that his innings against the Netherlands was a calculated and meaningful knock.

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“For me, he never needed to prove his worth. We all acknowledge his value. He’s been contributing to Bangladesh for 16-17 years. He faced a rough patch, endured criticism, and there was much discussion about it. Overall, his innings was strategically placed, and he batted through to the end, which was crucial on this pitch,” concluded Tamim Iqbal.