Tanzid Hasan Tamim is starting to feel like one of the few stable things in Bangladesh’s current ODI setup. (Also Read: Sri Lanka Defeat Bangladesh by 77 Runs in First ODI as Asalanka Hits Century)
During the sixth over of the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Tamim was on strike. The first two balls from Milan Rathnayake didn’t go far. Then came a boundary. And after that, a clean six.
The crowd may have sensed it early. Tamim looked comfortable. Confident, maybe. And for a side that’s been struggling with its top order, this was something different.
Before that, Sri Lanka had put up a target of 254, thanks to a captain’s knock from Charith Asalanka. Bangladesh had bowled well in patches, especially early on. But Asalanka’s century pushed the hosts to a competitive total.
Fifty That Meant More Than Runs
Bangladesh’s reply started on a decent note. Parvez Hossain Emon fell with just 29 on the board, but Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto kept things ticking. Tamim reached his fourth ODI fifty. He eventually scored 62 off 61 balls, hitting nine boundaries and a six.
Soon after, Shanto was run out for 23. Tamim didn’t last long either. He was dismissed in the very next over by Janith Liyanage.
Still, his knock was the backbone of Bangladesh’s innings. And it wasn’t just this match.
A Pattern Emerging
Across formats, Tamim has quietly stitched together a run of form. Over his last six international innings, he’s scored 267 runs. That’s an average just under 45. Two fifties in that stretch. Nothing flashy, but it adds up.
The numbers are useful. But they’re also not the full story.
Bangladesh hasn’t been doing well in ODIs. Lineups have shifted. Results have disappointed. There’s been talk around everything from captaincy to structure. Through that, Tamim’s approach has been simple. Score runs. Stay grounded.
Is that enough? Maybe not, at least not yet. But it gives the team something to build around.
Still Work to Do
The top order is still not settled. Middle overs remain fragile. Tensions are rising, fueled by the looming presence of major tournaments ahead.
In the midst of rising pressure, a young left-hander, just 24, is making his presence felt. Playing proper cricket. Hitting his stride.
That won’t solve all of Bangladesh’s problems. But it might keep things from getting worse. And for now, that matters.
