‘Everyone wanted to win’: Tamim Iqbal on ODI series victory against West Indies

Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal is content with the team's performance in the ongoing ODI series against West Indies after losses in the other two formats earlier on in the tour. 

On July 13, Bangladesh Tigers stamped their authority to bundle out the opposition for 108 and won the second ODI by chasing down the target in under 21 overs. Iqbal led from the front with an unbeaten 50, while the spinners Mehidy Hasan and Nasum Ahmed picked up a heap of wickets. 

With this victory, the visitors have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 and will look to complete the series whitewash. 

Iqbal revealed that he interacted with the squad ahead of the ODI series and emphasized that they have done well in the 50-overs format.

The southpaw was impressed with the Tigers' win in the recent fixture but thinks there still is scope for improvement. Iqbal is also focused on putting together the best possible XI for the 2023 World Cup, based on the players' performances in the 50-overs format.

"At the beginning of the series, I told this is one format we are really proud of and played really well. And we lost the Test and T20 series, the dressing room wasn't the happiest. Everyone wanted to win," said Iqbal in the post-match presentation. 

"This is really good, there are a lot of areas we need to tick boxes. The 2023 World Cup probably will be one of the biggest events for all of us, especially the four of us who most likely end there and we have to make the best possible combination and the best possible team going forward."

Team did not let us feel the absence of key players: Tamim Iqbal

In this series, Bangladesh missed three key players, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, and Yasir Ali, but have managed to win the series comfortably.

With this series victory, Iqbal hopes to give the youngsters chances and enhance the strength of the benched players. He has hinted at a potential reshuffle in the third and final fixture of the Caribbean Tour to be played on July 16.

"Look we were missing three players of the playing XI and certainly it had an impact on the confidence of the team but our team did not make us feel (their absence)," he said. 

"As we clinched the series I think we should give chances to others (who are unable to make a cut in the playing XI). Even if that means I don't play one or two matches. If I don't see the bench strength now, when will I see that?".