Tamim’s experience of playing in Dubai can help Tigers

Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal has been in fantastic touch in recent ODIs and will be looking to extend his run-scoring form at an important tournament like the Asia Cup.

Dubai is unknown territory for the Bangladesh cricket team, having never played in the country before but Tamim - the anchor around whom the Tigers looks to build their innings, will have an idea or two about the conditions having featured in back-to-back PSL champions Peshwar Zalmi.

"We haven't seen the wicket yet but I have a little experience of playing in Dubai because of PSL," Tamim was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.

"But you can't expect the wicket to remain same all the time. Sometimes it is good for batting and sometimes it helps the seamers and the spinners. So, we need to see what kind of wicket we get. But playing in Dubai is always fun and we are very excited to play on Saturday and we should have a good game," he added.

Tigers will also go up against former coach Chandika Hathurusingha' Sri Lanka, who they have met frequently in recent times. 

"Our former head coach is from Sri Lanka and we have played a lot of times against Sri Lanka in recent times. So, we know them in and out. But it all depends on the day and whichever team ticks the most boxes will have a good chance of winning," felt Tamim.

Speaking on the Tigers chances he said that they were only focusing on the first two games at the moment.

"It is a different format and you have to win the two matches to qualify and go to the next round. So, for me, the first two games are really important and we need to win those two games and go to the second round and see what we can do there. Thinking too ahead, I don't think that is going to work and we need to take it match by match," he said.

"I'm here to do the job for the team and I will try to do it to the best of my ability depending on what is required," added Tamim.

The experienced batsman will most likely have Liton Das as his opening partner and Tamim said it would not be a surprise since Liton has been performing well.

"Liton has been there for a while now. He has been opening in Test cricket and opened in T20s and he has been batting quite well. If the team management decides to open with him it won't be a surprise," said the 29-year-old.