Tanvir aims to go higher

Tanvir Islam is a well-known spinner in Bangladesh’s domestic circuit and he was one of the best local performers in the last Bangladesh Premier League, picking up 16 wickets and ending as the tournament’s fourth-highest wicket-taker.

This time around, he went one better as he ended the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets and played a massive role in Comilla Victorians claiming their fourth BPL title overall and second on the trot.

While the tournament ended on a sweet note for him, it did not start as well for the left-arm spinner as he could not find a place in the XI in the first two matches. Comilla lost both those matches, and the one he returned in.

But from there, they strung together an eleven-match winning streak to pocket the title, and their coach Mohammad Salahuddin accepted that not picking Tanvir was a mistake.

“We benched Tanvir because of team combination. We had two spinners, so did not think about the third. This was a big mistake. Tanvir performed well last time. He always takes wickets in the powerplay. After picking Tanvir, the problem of the powerplay was solved,” Salahuddin said in an interview with a local Bangla daily.

Tanvir did not just pick wickets, he was economical too. The left-arm spinner ended the tournament with an economy of 6.62, which is more than decent in the 20-over format.

The left-arm spinner, speaking to The Business Post, said that he did not think much when he could not get into the XI.

“My thoughts were very simple. When I get the chance, I will have to do well,” he said.

Tanvir added, “Salahuddin sir had told me earlier that we had a strong team and he was perplexed about whom to play and that he might make a few mistakes while decision-making. But he also said that I would play and keep myself prepared.”

And once he did, there was no turning back. Even in the final, he got rid of Towhid Hridoy early, who had been a constant scorer for Sylhet Strikers throughout the tournament.

“It’s great to be back-to-back Champions. Being the best bowler in such a big tournament is a very good feeling. The happiness is just different,” he told The Business Post.

After the tournament has come to an end, the focus will inadvertently turn to the international arena, where Bangladesh will take on England next month.

Tanvir, though, is not in the fray, but he aims to reach there.

“Every player has one dream – to play for their national team and serve them for a long time. My target is also that,” he told talking to The Business Post.

It is a bit more difficult for Tanvir to enter the national team as there are several spinners of his trade in and in the periphery of the national team, including Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Nasum Ahed.

However, Tanvir is not frustrated with the road to the national team being difficult.

“I feel good about the fact that there are a lot of left-arm spinners in and around the national team. Those who are playing are very good,” the 26-year-old said.

Tanvir has kept his consistency for two seasons in a row. And if he can keep on doing that, the door to the national team may open soon, even if it is difficult.