Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal displayed a heroic effort as he came out to bat two hours after being told by the doctors that he has suffered a fractured left wrist. The left-handed batsman was injured in the second over of the Asia Cup 2018 ODI match against Sri Lanka, after a delivery from Suranga Lakmal struck his left wrist. The 29-year-old immediately called for medical help and retired hurt on 2 off 3 balls. Later, he was taken to a hospital where scans revealed a fracture on his index finger, ruling him out for six weeks.
But to everyone’s surprise, the batsman came out to bat in the 47th over after the fall of Bangladesh’s ninth wicket. Iqbal’s four fingers, except the thumb, were popping out of his glove to support the special padding to prevent further injuries. Using his one hand, he played out one delivery, which he defended. It allowed the centurion Mushfiqur Rahim to carry on the onslaught in the final three overs and take the total to 261 by the end of the innings.
“There was a lot of pressure, losing lost two wickets early and Tamim couldn’t bat. But the decision to bat (again) was made by him. If he didn’t want to bat, no one could push him. Credit goes to him for the decision,” Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said after the match.
