Positive mindset must to score 300 runs: Tamim

Dhaka  – Bangladesh’s seasoned campaigner Tamim Iqbal has said a positive mindset was the key for him to hit his maiden triple century in the first-class cricket (BCL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Tamim scored not out 334 runs, Bangladesh’s highest total in the First-class cricket, in the first round of Bangladesh Cricket League for Islami Bank East Zone to surpass Raqibul Hasan’s 313 not out notched up back in 2007.

“It was a great feeling. To be honest, I never thought I would hit a triple ton in this game. The way I batted was important to me. I hope I’ll bat this way in future as well,” Tamim told the media at the end of Sunday’s play.

“The wicket was tough today. But I was confident and firm. I just wanted to keep a positive mindset on and keep playing. I’ve played some big shots after completing 300. Before that, I just kept playing cricketing shots,” he added.

The southpaw said it was one of the much-talked-about affairs in the Bangladesh dressing room that no one could hit a triple ton after Raqibul did it 13 years ago.

“Raqibul was the only batsman to hit a 300-run score in Bangladesh domestic cricket. We always think about how patient he is. He faced more than 600 balls to do it. So, it’s not easy to hit 300 in any form of the game,” Tamim further told the media.

Raqibul was also in the field when Tamim surpassed him to score the highest individual innings in Bangladesh first class cricket.

At the end of the day, Raqibul said it was good that Tamim managed to reach 300 as the 2nd batsman. He said: “Tamim was great in the wicket. We saw him bat superbly in this game. I want him to continue to bat like this in international cricket as well.”UNB