'Some of them did not connect but still went for six'

Bangladesh and Comilla Victorians batsman Tamim Iqbal played a mesmerising  knock during the Bangladesh Premier League final against Dhaka Dynamites yesterday. He pulled off the shots that he was trying to execute. It was an innings that even left him in a dream state.

While he had started at a slow rate, his innings gained pace late on, especially against the faster bowlers. Rubel Hossain was taken for 23 runs in the 15th over and Andre Russell went for 22 in the 17th over. The left-hander later commented that he did not middle all his shots well but maybe it was his day. There was some massive sixes towards the end of the Victorians innings as Tamim ran riot with an unbeaten 141 off 61 deliveries.

"I started with Rubel's over. As I started hitting the ball, I felt this had to go [well]. I normally pick him [Russell] well. It was probably my day, everything connected. Some of them did not connect but still went for six," he said.

"I am still dreaming. I am not getting how I batted. I honestly don't understand. I will go back to that room and watch the highlights for a better idea," he said after an innings which included 10 fours and 11 sixes.

Tamim had a clear plan. He did not want to take undue risk against spinner Sunil Narine and Shakib Al Hasan. "I was waiting for the pacers to come. It was an unbelievable wicket," he commented

He maintained that Dhaka had the game in their hand and the wickets of Rony Talukdar (66) and Russel (4) in quick succession changed the course of the match.

"Even 200 runs did not seem big enough. If they hadn't lost those two quick wickets then the 200 runs would not be adequate. The momentum changed when we got that run out and then Russell got out early," he concluded.