Nottingham: Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has every reason to look forward to his side's opening Twenty20 World Cup match against defending champions India on Saturday.
Tamim's 51 off 53 deliveries in Trinidad set up the run chase which eliminated India from the 2007 World Cup. His innings came just three days before his 18th birthday.
Since then Tamim has consolidated his position in the team while knowing there should be more to come. In 50 overs internationals he has scored one century and eight fifties with a top score of 32 in nine Twenty20s.
"I'm getting the starts but I need to go on and continue my innings longer," Tamim told Reuters. "I'm feeling confident and if I can bat for 15 overs against India I know it will be good for our team."
Tamim, born and raised in Chittagong, will get all the support he requires from his family which has an impressive sporting pedigree.
His father played professional soccer, his older brother Nafees has played Test cricket for Bangladesh as has his uncle, Akram Khan, who was a batsman in the inaugural Bangladesh Test side in 2000.
Akram is one of the three national selectors and assisted with team practice session in Nottingham on Thursday.
Positive Impact
"Our family stayed together in the same building in Chittagong and I have watched Tamim develop since he was a kid," Akram told Reuters.
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