Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes: Best Test opening pair from sub-continent in recent Tests outside Asia

[Miraz]

They are in 3rd position in the all time list and best among current opening pairs outside Asia. These two have done really well to achieve this feat. With Imrul returning back to form, things can only get better in future.

From Cricinfo
The table below lists the opening pairs from the subcontinent who have scored more than 500 partnership runs outside Asia, and most of them have better numbers than Gambhir-Sehwag. Gavaskar and Chauhan, for instance, averaged 47.92, with four century stands in 25 innings. The stats for Bangladesh's Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal are even better: they average 53.50 in 14 innings outside Asia; in their last six such stands they have notched up the following partnerships: 79 and 35 (Hamilton), 88 and 185 (Lord's), 126 and 2 (Old Trafford). Bangladesh have struggled in most aspects of their game in Test cricket, but their opening batting has been one of their huge redeeming features.


Subcontinent opening pairs outside Asia (Qual: 500 runs, excl. Zimbabwe)
Pair Innings Runs Ave stand 100/ 50 p'ships
Sunil Gavaskar/ Chetan Chauhan 25 1198 47.92 4/ 3
Imran Farhat/ Salman Butt 24 855 35.62 2/ 5
Marvan Atapattu/ Sanath Jayasuriya 28 779 31.16 1/ 4
Imrul Kayes/ Tamim Iqbal 14 749 53.50 2/ 3
Majid Khan/ Sadiq Mohammad 18 728 45.50 2/ 5
Wasim Jaffer/ Virender Sehwag 18 643 35.72 2/ 4
Mohsin Khan/ Mudassar Nazar 22 607 27.59 0/ 6
Vijay Merchant/ Mushtaq Ali 7 584 83.42 2/ 3
Sunil Gavaskar/ Kris Srikkanth 10 565 56.50 1/ 4
Aamer Sohail/ Rameez Raja 19 525 30.88 2/ 1
Aamer Sohail/ Saeed Anwar 14 512 36.57 3/ 0
Gautam Gambhir/ Virender Sehwag 18 508 28.22 1/ 1

Read more (http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/551095.html)

[Naimul_Hd]

Thanks for sharing Miraz bhai.

The stats for Bangladesh's Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal are even better: they average 53.50 in 14 innings (http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/280734.html?class=1;filter=advanced;host=1;host=2; host=3;host=4;host=5;orderby=fow_runs;partner=4839 1;partnership_wicketmax1=1;partnership_wicketval1= partnership_wicket;qualmin1=500;qualval1=fow_runs; team=25;team=6;team=7;team=8;template=results;type =batting;view=fow_list) outside Asia; in their last six such stands they have notched up the following partnerships: 79 and 35 (Hamilton), 88 and 185 (Lord's), 126 and 2 (Old Trafford). Bangladesh have struggled in most aspects of their game in Test cricket, but their opening batting has been one of their huge redeeming features.

Something positive about Bangladesh in CI. Good to see :)

[shakibrulz]

Yeah people seriously needs to cut Imrul some slack.
<br />Posted via BC Mobile Edition

[Ajfar]

I'm sorry but Imrul sucks in test. Old tratford and lords that was like 2 years ago. Look at his test average. Case closed. Dude shouldn't be anywhere near the test team. ODI now thats a different story.
<br />Posted via BC Mobile Edition (Android)

[meazz1]

I'm sorry but Imrul sucks in test. Old tratford and lords that was like 2 years ago. Look at his test average. Case closed. Dude shouldn't be anywhere near the test team. ODI now thats a different story.
<br />Posted via BC Mobile Edition (Android)

The fact of the matter is, Tamin sucks as well in the recent games.
But, you can't deny the stats.

[Night_wolf]

most of the cases were because tamim were in superb from that time

[AsifTheManRahman]

The truth is, no matter how much Tamim sucks, his stats for the period of suction (i.e. last 5 Tests) are still above average in Bangladeshi standards:

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/56194.html?class=1;spanmin1=04+May+2011;spanval1=s pan;template=results;type=batting

Average of 30.30 with two fifties. His scores during this period: 15, 43, 52, 37, 14, 83, 9, 15, 14, 21:

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/56194.html?class=1;spanmin1=04+May+2011;spanval1=s pan;template=results;type=batting;view=innings

Nothing much to cheer about there, but there's a bit of evidence, however small, that he's tried to play himself back into form albeit making some inexplicable shot selections.

Now considering Imrul Payesh orfe Kaedge has failed throughout his career, here are his stats:

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/280734.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting

Needles to say, needless to say...

[BANFAN]

I guess so.

Irrespective of everything else, I once described in details in some thread, why IK and TI pair shouldn't be disturebed, completely from BD perspective. Now we removed IK and we lost TI.. And it may take long time to repair it even if wenget them together once again. Human factors arenleastnundertood by many.

I said several time on BC, that opening wasn't our problem... We have so many problems else where in the line up... But who cares.... Fans keep focussing on individuals tha The team... So the BCB. Instead of solving our depth of batting, we decided to remove IK and destabilize the opening slot... Now even TI is in danger.... Partnership and team building are things sledom understood by BCB and fans.

Well I wasn't alone, there were quiet a few others who had similar opinions..... But surely we were minority..

[Tigers_eye]

.. Now even TI is in danger.... Partnership and team building are things sledom understood by BCB and fans...
I understand destabalizing lineups, giving enough chance to players, making sure they know their roles but this is new to me. "I miss IK so I will go on to play "tolwar" with my bat doesn't matter what format I play."

Tamim's bad form in no way, shape or form can be blamed on IK not being there. Club team'a ki Imrul ore openning partner? There is a standard for making the national grades. Noone is above that. Nazimuddin was the few bright spots.

Tamim'er problem overconfidence, "ki honu rey" attitude. Team thekey koi match ber koire dewa hok, he will understand performance matters, style and big mouth not.

[Tigers_eye]

As for the thread, are they the worst in Asia? Home condition'a bhalo na korley labh ki?

[Tiger444]

Thanks Miraz bhai for sharing. The reason why our opening partnership looks strong is because of Tamim's form last year. He was smashing every bowling attack. Tamim's records are actually very good by our standards. In our lineup, the only other batsmen that average in the 30's is Shakib and Mahmudullah in Tests. So even though Tamim is suffering from bad form now, he's still our best batsman for Tests. Imrul on the other hand needs to keep away from Tests. This is mainly Tamim's work and Imrul didn't do much during these partnerships. The fact doesn't change that Imrul has only 1 fifty out of 32 innings in Tests. Look at how Nazimuddin did in his 1st match already got a fifty. So it shows that even though our opening partnerships are looking good, we could actually do even better then this. Hopefully Tamim can find his form back quickly and Nazimuddin can continue to play well. Let Imrul continue in ODIs since his records are much better in that format.

[idrinkh2O]

Thanks Miraz bhai for sharing. The reason why our opening partnership looks strong is because of Tamim's form last year. He was smashing every bowling attack. Tamim's records are actually very good by our standards. In our lineup, the only other batsmen that average in the 30's is Shakib and Mahmudullah in Tests. So even though Tamim is suffering from bad form now, he's still our best batsman for Tests. Imrul on the other hand needs to keep away from Tests. This is mainly Tamim's work and Imrul didn't do much during these partnerships. The fact doesn't change that Imrul has only 1 fifty out of 32 innings in Tests. Look at how Nazimuddin did in his 1st match already got a fifty. So it shows that even though our opening partnerships are looking good, we could actually do even better then this. Hopefully Tamim can find his form back quickly and Nazimuddin can continue to play well. Let Imrul continue in ODIs since his records are much better in that format.

Well said! :)

For opening pair:
In Test: Tamim & Nazimuddin
In ODI: Tamim & Imrul
In T20: Blank & Blank (don't know yet, may be after BPL'2012)

[Dhakablues]

While this is a good news,, the reality is we lost pretty much all the tests and their partnership didnt contribute towards any success for the team. Tamim was the sole contributor for the healthy average and I think Nazimuiddin will be the right person with him in Test cricket. For ODI, Imrul is fine ( we just have to wait for his 5-30 awkard runs and his dismissal to start watching the game with less eye-irritation and anger)

[lamisa]

look guys, stop saying that amader stats bhalo chhilo only because of tamim. imrul was a good partner for him and imrul also scored runs

[Tiger444]

look guys, stop saying that amader stats bhalo chhilo only because of tamim. imrul was a good partner for him and imrul also scored runs

Really? An average of a 16 qualifies as scoring runs?

[Tiger444]

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=batting_average;orderbyad=reverse;qualmin1=15; qualval1=innings;spanmin1=01+feb+2010;spanval1=spa n;template=results;type=batting

Take a look at this also bhais. Spitfire bhai posted this a while back. Look at where Tamim is and see where Imrul is as well.

[Dhakablues]

I will paste it here for further clarification:

<TABLE class=engineTable><THEAD><TR class=headlinks><TH class=left noWrap>Player (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=player;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1=0 1+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bat ting)</TH><TH class=left noWrap>Span (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=start;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1=01 +feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batt ing)</TH><TH noWrap>Mat (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=matches;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1= 01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=ba tting)</TH><TH noWrap>Inns (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=innings;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1= 01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=ba tting)</TH><TH noWrap>NO (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=notouts;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1= 01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=ba tting)</TH><TH noWrap>Runs (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=runs;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1=01+ feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batti ng)</TH><TH class=padAst noWrap>HS (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=high_score;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmi n1=01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type =batting)</TH><TH noWrap>Avehttp://i.imgci.com/espncricinfo/blackArrowUp.gif (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=batting_average;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;s panmin1=01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results ;type=batting)</TH><TH noWrap>BF (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=balls_faced;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanm in1=01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;typ e=batting)</TH><TH noWrap>SR (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=batting_strike_rate;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innin gs;spanmin1=01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=res ults;type=batting)</TH><TH noWrap>100 (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=hundreds;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1 =01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=b atting)</TH><TH noWrap>50 (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=fifty_plus;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmi n1=01+feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type =batting)</TH><TH noWrap>0 (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=ducks;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1=01 +feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batt ing)</TH><TH noWrap>4s (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=fours;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1=01 +feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batt ing)</TH><TH noWrap>6s (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_position val1=batting_position;class=1;filter=advanced;orde rby=sixes;qualmin1=15;qualval1=innings;spanmin1=01 +feb+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batt ing)</TH><TH></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=data1><TD class=left noWrap>Imrul Kayes (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/280734.html) (Ban)</TD><TD class=left noWrap></TD><TD>8</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>359</TD><TD class=padAst>75</TD><TD>22.43</TD><TD>699</TD><TD>51.35</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE class=engineTable><TBODY><TR class=data1><TD class=left noWrap>Tamim Iqbal (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/56194.html) (Ban)</TD><TD class=left noWrap></TD><TD>10</TD><TD>20 </TD><TD>0</TD><TD>906</TD><TD class=padAst>108</TD><TD>45.30</TD><TD>1233</TD><TD>73.47</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>124 </TD><TD>8</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Imrul avg. 22.43
Tamim avg. 45.30

Tamim scored double the average and almost 3 times more than Imrul!!

[AsifTheManRahman]

^That SR greater than Dilshan and second only to Virender.

[BANFAN]

look guys, stop saying that amader stats bhalo chhilo only because of tamim. imrul was a good partner for him and imrul also scored runs

People (Specially Men) hardly understand the value of partnership....

[Dilscoop]

So basically Tamim single handily kicked *** in 2010.

[Holden]

I guess so.

Irrespective of everything else, I once described in details in some thread, why IK and TI pair shouldn't be disturebed, completely from BD perspective. Now we removed IK and we lost TI.. And it may take long time to repair it even if wenget them together once again. Human factors arenleastnundertood by many.

I said several time on BC, that opening wasn't our problem... We have so many problems else where in the line up... But who cares.... Fans keep focussing on individuals tha The team... So the BCB. Instead of solving our depth of batting, we decided to remove IK and destabilize the opening slot... Now even TI is in danger.... Partnership and team building are things sledom understood by BCB and fans.

Well I wasn't alone, there were quiet a few others who had similar opinions..... But surely we were minority..

This is flawed logic, you are assuming Tamim's slump in form is directly caused by Imrul not being in the team, there is no evidence to back this up.
Imrul has an average of 17 after playing 16 Tests (32 innings). There are tail-enders who have a higher average than this. Any team that aspires to succeed in Tests, would never include a batsmen with such a low average.
Besides Imrul isn't even statistically Tamim's most successful partner in Test cricket. There is another batsmen who also happens to be an opener, who has a higher partnership average with Tamim. In fact they hold the record for the highest partnership of any wicket for Bangladesh. Also this batsmen averages 10 runs higher than Imrul in Tests.

[al Furqaan]

look guys, stop saying that amader stats bhalo chhilo only because of tamim. imrul was a good partner for him and imrul also scored runs

not really, that one single innings of 75 was it. apart from that Tamim did the work himself. I wouldn't have had a problem but Imrul continues to get out in the most hopeless way.

[Night_wolf]

People (Specially Men) hardly understand the value of partnership....

ouch! at the pun intended

[BANFAN]

This is flawed logic, you are assuming Tamim's slump in form is directly caused by Imrul not being in the team, there is no evidence to back this up. .........

I don't understand what sort of evidence you need. What can be a better and bigger evidence than their partnership records/performances to establish that the partnership works?

Opening wasn't our biggest problem in the batting lineup. If we had a better guy, he could take up 3-5 any of the positions.

Agree with TE on Tamim's attitude issue.

[Dilscoop]

Unless Tamim is gayly in love with Imrul...

Message to Tamim. Bat with your bat, not your "bat," for yourself and the team, not for Imrul.