Tamim’s long drought ends at home ground

Finally, after more than three years, 16 innings, and a couple of nervous nineties, Tamim Iqbal got his 10th Test century on Tuesday.

Tamim has a low conversion rate as he has 31 fifties in Tests against 10 centuries. Mominul Haque, who made his Test debut almost five years after Tamim, overtook him as the batsman with the most centuries (11).

Finally, the moment came at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, situated just about 10 kilometres away from his home in Chattogram. Under the scorching summer sun, on a hot and humid noon, Tamim ended his drought.

Ashitha Fernando delivered the ball into the pads of Tamim, he just gently tucked it into the square-leg area and completed the single. In the last three years, he got out in the nineties twice, both were against Sri Lanka at Pallekele.

“Tamim’s performance is fantastic. 20 more runs left,” batting coach Jamie Siddons said about Tamim, who retired hurt on 133 due to a cramp.

The opener did not come out to bat after the tea break on day three, and Siddons understands that extreme heat made it difficult for him.

“After two days in the field and batting like he did in the heat, running between the wickets, it takes a lot out of you. I can understand that he cramped up. After a good night of taking some food and fluids, I think he will be fine tomorrow (today),” said the batting coach.