I don't believe in giving and taking at all

Cricket around the world continues to be impacted by the deadly coronavirus, which was declared as an outbreak by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The pandemic has impacted not only cricket, but also many sporting events across the world. In this situation, athletes are passing leisure at their homes. They will return to their grounds respectively once the situation becomes normal.

Cricketers are currently under house arrest for more than two months because of coronavirus-forced shutdown, they are just waiting for end of the pandemic.

How cricketers should move on, take care themselves and continue training when cricket will return after the coronavirus crisis.

Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal shared his opinions to risingbd Sports Correspondent Yeasin Hassan over mobile phone.

Risingbd: It is about three months you are out of cricket due to coronavirus outbreak. You certainly return to the ground once the situation becomes normal. What may be the primary challenges for corona next cricket?

Tamim: I think it will take some time to get used to it. In normal times, we have been doing both outdoor and indoor activities. But there is no similarity between what we are doing indoors these days amid coronavirus. Therefore, adapting at the beginning will be the main challenge. Besides, now it's summer season in Bangladesh. So, it will take a little time to adjust. I think fitness will not create any problem. But we have to face for skill-works. It may take 15 sessions to get back to normal. That's why skill work seems very important to me.

Risingbd: Match fitness depends on one’s personal practice. If you think overall, how long it can take to get match fitness?

Tamim: I think it will take one to one and a half months. There is another thing, it is difficult to say staying at home how I will feel after return. When we will return to the training, we will be able to understand our body better. Maybe, it will take less time for the batsmen. But fast bowlers will need more time.

Risingbd: It may seem a little ridiculous, though it never happens… If you are free to bat as long as the mind wants, how long you will continue to bat?

Tamim: (Laughter) I will bat for very little. I don't think batting for two hours or two and a half hours will be of any use on the first day. Since you will be batting on the first day, you will be a little faded. Therefore, without rushing, I will fix the basic things like defense, back foot defense and front foot defense. 20 to 25 minutes is enough if I can keep the basics right. If I bat for two-three hours on the first day, it may cause minor injuries. That's why I think it should take less time for the beginning, then gradually the speed and time can increase. It can be like this, 15 minutes on the first day. The next day 25 minutes. Then 30 minutes. That's the way to go. The next day a little more. It cannot be manipulated in any way.

Risingbd: You know, the use of saliva has already been banned. Many are saying the reverse will not be the same as before. Old balls will not work for the bowlers in Tests. If so, does the work of batsmen not become easy?

Tamim: It will have no effect on ODI cricket. I don't think the ball shine is that much in ODI cricket. So, this will not affect the ODIs. But it will have an impact on Test cricket. It is very important to keep the shine of the ball in Tests. It also helps in spin and fast bowling as well. It will be difficult for the bowlers if balls do not have shine. But the bowlers have to make arrangements in some other way. If they cannot use saliva and the balls do not have shine, then the situation will be in favor of the batsmen. Batsmen will get benefits at least a little.

Risingbd: You have got love from people for long days. Did you share those with people during corona?

Tamim: I didn't really think like that. Yeah, it’s true, I’ve got much love from people for long days. But I don't think I should give them back just because I got something. Whatever I have done, I have just thought that if I do it right now, people will be happy, it will be good for people. If I can put a smile on the face of two people from my place of responsibility, this is my absolute achievement. I don't believe in giving and taking at all. As much as you can do for people, you should do for them.

Risingbd: You have done things that may not be within your limits. But you did it on your own. Maybe there is little to say about them. Even if you share what goes on in your mind?

Tamim: One thing I always think is, I should do as much as I can from where I am today. Not only do I see cricketers, it can be you, anyone can be capable. My point is, if you want to put a smile on the face of a poor person, you should do something from what you have. If it is possible then why not!

Allah is giving us so much, giving us names and money.  So why don't we do something for His servants? I believe it is our responsibility to see those who are miserable and poor. I'm not saying this, distribute all your savings you have. If something can be shared, it is definitely a good thing. With a little help from you, ten families might be better off. I have stood by the people thinking like this. I also think I did a very small job. I did not do such a big job by this. Many people in the country have helped many poor and stood by them. Maybe my name is being revealed as a cricketer, it has come in the media. I know a lot of people who are doing this but common people don't even know them.

Risingbd: Every chapter of life teaches us something. You hosted a program a few days ago. If you say a little bigger, what did you learn?

Tamim: I have hosted the programme with many locals and foreigners. I had a lot to learn from all of them. I also had questions that I was interested in knowing myself. If you watched, you would see, I asked Virat Kohli a question about his batting approach. I wanted to know that for myself. So that I can learn something from it. I have asked Mushfiq many questions. I have also asked brother Mashrafe. I asked him about captaincy as I want to learn from them. From time to time, I asked questions about things so that I could learn from them. I'm sure if those who have seen it are not in the field of cricket ... it will be possible to combine many things with one's professional life. There was so much to learn, those who wanted to learn would surely find something.

Risingbd: What I saw in your hosted programme is that you have a friendly attitude with everyone… senior and junior. It is more on off-screen. Is that the biggest plus point of your captaincy?

Tamim: I can't say how much it will work on my captaincy. But this is the relationship, I maintain with everyone. That is not from today, for the last ten years. If you think of Mashrafe Bhai… he is a friend of my elder brother. But if anyone sees our face-to-face discussion, no one will understand that he is older than me. We are like friends. Alongside, my dealings with the juniors and the way they respect me cannot be explained. It's totally another part of us. It is really unknown at this time whether it will work on captaincy. Because I have not changed as a human being. Whether it is captain Tamim or personal Tamim. Captaincy depends on activities of the field. How you lead on the field and support the players. Though the respect that will come from them on the field is not yet felt, my personal relationship is the same for everyone.

Risingbd: You have been staying at home for long days. Both son and daughter are growing up. You could not stay at home when the son grew up. You are observing the growing up of your daughter from the very beginning. How are you enjoying fatherhood?

Tamim: Really ... There was so much cricket at the time my first child that I didn't even know when he grew up. The daughter is now six months old. I have been with her for about four months. It's definitely something to enjoy. I'm watching that her activities are changing day by day and enjoying the time. The biggest thing is nothing goes missing. Usually, I don't have time like that. It is not like that I don’t feel bored or lazy. I am living my normal life.


Dhaka/Yeasin/AKA