Sharjah: Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, now the highest run-getter in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), owes his success to a new mental approach for every match.
Answering to a query from Gulf News after his match-winning knock of unbeaten 80 in Peshawar Zalmi’s seven-wicket win over Islamabad United as to whether he has brought about any changes to his batting, Iqbal said: “I have tried to be really calm, previously I was rushing too much and that was not doing me good. Now I try to be calm and play according to the ball.”
Though Iqbal modified his mental approach, his unbeaten 80 was aggressive as it came off just 58 balls with six boundaries and three sixes. It helped Peshawar chase down Islamabad’s challenging total of 152 for 6 in 20 overs with nine balls to spare.
“Our victories have been purely due to team effort. The way we are playing is amazing and for today’s game the wicket was really good to bat on. I reckon 160 or 165 was a par score and our bowlers did a tremendous job to restrict them to 150. So it was a total team effort,” said Iqbal, who owes his success to the confidence given by his team management.
“I have played in Sharjah couple of years ago but hadn’t played in Dubai. The first couple of games I was struggling a bit. I thought I was not batting the way I like to bat but I am lucky enough to score runs, which is good. The confidence they (management) are showing towards me is quite amazing,” he added.
When asked about the PSL experience, Iqbal who is one among the most wanted star players in T20 cricket, said: “IPL has done great for Indian cricket, BPL has done good to Bangladesh cricket and PSL is the best thing that can happen to Pakistan cricket. This is just the beginning of the tournament and surely this tournament will get better and better. I hope next year we will be able to play a few games in Pakistan.”
Iqbal played Islamabad’s strike bowler Saeed Ajmal confidently and when asked about it, said: “With Ajmal I have been successful in the series we played in Bangladesh. I was keeping this in mind and trying to attack him. I know where he is going to bowl but luckily it was my day but you cannot take anything away from Saeed, he has been a champion for Pakistan and he has done amazing things for his country and he is a top bowler. Maybe today was my day and tomorrow may be his day,” said Iqbal, who was happy with the number of Bangladeshis who have come to cheer for him.
Islamabad captain Misbah-ul-Haq was disappointed but hopeful. “It was a disappointing end after a good start. Wahab Riaz and Tamim (Iqbal) played brilliantly. We were 20 runs short. The good thing is if we can win one of the upcoming two matches we can reach the knock-out stage,” said Misbah.
Brief scores
Peshawar Zalmi bt Islamabad United by seven wickets. Islamabad 152 for 6 in 20 overs (Sharjeel Khan 28, Khalid Latif 59, Misbah-ul-Haq 32, Mohammad Asghar 2 for 25, Wahab Riaz 2 for 24) Peshawar 153 for 3 in 18.3 overs (Tamim Iqbal 80n.o, Mohammad Hafeez 25) Man of the match: Tamim Iqbal
Today’s matches (Sunday)
3.30 pm. Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings
8pm: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi
