Tamim Iqbal leaves Dhaka to take part in the Independence Cup in Pakistan

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has left Dhaka on Saturday night, to take part in the most anticipated series of this year- the Independence Cup between Pakistan and World XI, starting on September 12. The T20I series will take place in at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The 2nd and 3rd T20I will be played on 13th and 15th September respectively.

The 28-year old opener recently took part in the Test series against Australia at home, which ended level at 1-1. Tamim scored 71 and 78 in the 1st Test, which was also his 50th match. But the opener missed out scoring the next game, as he managed just 9 and 12 in each innings.

Tamim-Amla to open?

Tamim will play under Faf du Plessis’ captaincy. Apart from these two, the touring team will feature the likes of Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Paul Colling and Grant Elliott out of the many. Pakistan will be captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led the green brigade to Champions Trophy victory, earlier this year. We may get to see Tamim opening the innings with Hashim Amla, another addition to the squad.

Raja thanked the players for their support

In his column on ICC website published on Friday (September 8), former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja talked about the importance of this series, and thanked the players for touring Pakistan. “The tour by the World XI will hopefully lead to resumption of a regular international cricket calendar in Pakistan,” Raja wrote. “Credit must go to the players and the ICC for braving perceptions and possible personal pleadings by family and friends to look at the larger picture. The larger picture being – you need us, we need you. That is the only essential for cricket to survive.” he said.

He also added “The tour by the Zimbabwe team in 2015 and the successful final of the PSL this year at Lahore were fledgling signs that the cricketing world was opening up to Pakistan again. The PSL exposed the international fraternity to the frustration and helplessness of the Pakistan players, especially the young apprentices, who were being wronged by a situation which was neither of their choice nor their making.”