Will reflect on the values of Mashrafe, says Tamim
Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh's new ODI skipper, is aware that he has some big shoes to fill having bought out the leadership from Mashrafe Mortaza.
However the left-handed opener is confident of easing in to the captaincy role over time, adding that he'll think about the values of former skipper Mashrafe, having watched him from close quarters.
Mashrafe, who stepped down as ODI skipper following the just-concluded three-match series against Zimbabwe at home, is Bangladesh's most successful skipper and is credited to have played a big part in developing Bangladesh cricket in the 50-over format through his leadership qualities.
Under Mashrafe, Bangladesh grew in stature as an ODI team, so that it is to the quarterfinal stage of the 2015 World Cup while they reached the semifinal of the 2017 Champions Trophy. Mashrafe led Bangladesh in 88 games, winning 50 and losing 36.
"I am very lucky in the sense I had an extremely close relationship with him. I have seen a lot of things closely and played together for so a long time in many places. THEREFORE I know at least something that he knows. But I will say around I could take - it is extremely difficult to fill his shoes. I hope I will take all the positive things, easily ever need his advice I will certainly take it from him," Tamim said on Saturday. "I am no experienced captain. You should remember that I need time. It will be very difficult to go to his [Mashrafe 's] level straightaway. I understand that well. We've achieved so a lot of things under him."
The Bangladesh Cricket Board took some time to convince Tamim to take up captaincy during their last board meeting. He was called multiple times from practice to go over about his future in the leadership role before the BCB eventually decided to appoint him on a long-term basis.
"It is very hard for a captain to plan anything in one, several series. I wanted captaincy for years basis because in case you are assigned for years, then you can change lives in a team, which is vital for us," said Tamim, who would like the team to build up the belief that they are often world-beaters.
"Whenever we won the series first-time against Pakistan - the group we had under Mashrafe bhai - we had that believe that we are able to beat any team. Before that people had won, but not a series. However now the squad we've, there are various young players, it is vital for all of us to win an ODI match to get that belief that people can fix those things. So that it will be our target. If we are able to win a match immediately, it will be best for the team."
Tamim said his immediate focus will be to bring in some cultural changes and appearance at methods to develop the mindset of his teammates. "The way we are thinking from the field, how professional we are - I believe my very first thing [job as captain] is to improve for the reason that area. You won't need to get the results immediately. Nevertheless, you will definitely start to see the changes. If we start working harder, if we can minimise the mistakes we are making you then will get the result. Not necessary immediately within the next game but you'll get the result of hard work at some point.
"So if I need to take this team forward, then first I'll need to improve everything off the field. It isn't like we are indisciplined as a team, I think we are the most disciplined teams on the globe. We are able to be better. EASILY can start those ideas earlier and if it starts reflecting on the field then it'll be good," Tamim concluded.
