'Don't panic; get back to basics'

On the back of consecutive disappointments in the last two series in South Africa and then at home against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will look to regroup in the Nidahas Trophy without Shakib Al Hasan, their regular skipper and most experienced cricketer in the shortest format of the game.

Opener Tamim Iqbal, who joined the side in Colombo after taking part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), informed that it was the panic among the cricketers that has been the biggest downfall in recent times for the Tigers and that it is important for the team to overcome panic in crunch situations.

"It will be a different challenge here for me and also our team. We know that we are not in the best of form as a team but this can happen. As I have said, it's normal for batsmen as well as bowlers. We go through good and bad patches. So, as a team it is quite normal for that to happen. For me the most important thing for a batsman when he is out of form is to not panic. I think in some cases we are panicking a lot and I feel we need to curb that. As a team you have to accept that, when things are not going well, we should not be panicking and instead get back to basics. We have to remember the basics which we executed to achieve results in the last few years," Tamim, who sat out the team's training session at the P Sara Oval in Colombo yesterday, told reporters.

According to the 28-year-old the panic has spread everywhere, including the dressing room, but he added that Bangladesh are just a game away from playing their best cricket as a win or a positive outing can totally change the atmosphere within the team.

Tamim played the role of anchor for his PSL side Peshwar Zalmi, but the left-hander informed that he will play according to the match situation for the Tigers.

Once again, there was the question of missing out on the services of Shakib, but Tamim said that there is no point talking about someone who is not with the team at the moment and added that the seniors will have to take the responsibility of guiding the youngsters.

"We have panicked here as well. He [Hathurusingha] left and it is as if everything came to an end; [but] that's not the case. It is not like everything will fall in place. After he left, we have to start anew it is better to take our time and start afresh," Tamim said when asked whether the fallout from former coach Chandika Hathurusingha's exit had an impact on the players and a consequent impact on results.

When asked about the expectations from new interim coach Courtney Walsh, the dashing southpaw said that he needs more time as this is Walsh's first tour as a coach.

Bangladesh will take part in a practice game today, but the opposition is yet to be finalised, at the Cricket Club of Colombo before the they kick off their tri-series campaign against India on March 8.