Tanzid Hasan Tamim has long carried a reputation for struggling in big run chases or failing to convert starts into big scores. This perception was not entirely unfounded, as his performances had often reflected these challenges. The most recent evidence came in Bangladesh’s ODI series against Pakistan.
In the second ODI, Bangladesh failed to chase Pakistan’s 243 in 32 overs under the D/L method, and Tanzid contributed just 1 run from 7 balls. However, in the series opener, he single-handedly led Bangladesh to victory while chasing a modest 114, scoring an unbeaten 67 from 42 balls.
The real breakthrough came in the series decider on Sunday, at Mirpur Sher-e-Banglades stadium Tanzid scored his maiden ODI century, and his first century in international cricket overall. He made 107 runs from 107 balls, hitting seven sixes and six fours, reaching his hundred in style with a six over long-off while dancing down the track. Bangladesh won the match by 11 runs in a thrilling final-ball finish, sealing the series 2-1.
After 29 innings of striving for the three-figure mark, Tanzid’s persistence, grit, and aggression finally paid off. Following the match, he thanked several people who supported him, including senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin and batting coach Mohammad Ashraful.
Tanzid said in a press conference, “I am trying to work on my batting, not just technically, but mainly to become stronger mentally. That is what I have been focusing on. Regarding my batting, I have discussions with Ash bhai (Ashraful), Salahuddin sir, and of course with everyone else.”
One name that stood out in his remarks was former Bangladesh opener Shahriar Nafees. Now working in Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations department, Nafees has been supporting Tanzid behind the scenes for over a year.
“I work in operations and am mostly in the office. When players come for individual practice, I sometimes accompany them and discuss batting. I do not know why he mentioned my name, but it was very nice of him,” Nafees told Times of Bangladesh.
Nafees explained that his guidance with Tanzid has been ongoing on and off for one and a half years. “With Tanzid Tamim, this has been going on for quite a while, almost one to one-and-a-half years. In the national team, they are busy with matches and always under various coaches. But sometimes we get a chance to discuss cricket in detail,” he said.
Their discussions focus on technique, approach, and strategy rather than just skills. Bangladesh’s first T20I captain Nafees highlighted as he said, “Tanzid and I have done some one-on-one work for the past year or so. Not too much, just a little, but in the last six to seven months, we have been working more regularly.”
“These discussions are mostly about batting approach, how a top-order batter should handle situations, where gaps may appear, and what challenges could arise. I have talked to him about these things quite a bit, and that is probably what he was mentioning. So it was nice of him,” Nafees added.
Despite being a top performer in T20Is, Tanzid had struggled to transfer that form into ODIs. Nafees noted that this was a key point of discussion. “Tanzid has been one of the most consistent performers for Bangladesh in T20s over the last four to five years, but why has he not been able to carry that form into ODIs? That was our concern,” he said.
The results were immediate. Tanzid scored runs consistently in the last BCL One Day tournament and then converted that form into his maiden international hundred in the ODI series against Pakistan.
Nafees said: “I was talking to him about how to transfer his T20 form into the 50-over format. And now, you can see that in the next series, he scored runs in the BCL and then made his first maiden hundred for the national team. Definitely, it’s not my credit—it’s the player who achieves that. Naturally, it feels very satisfying and encouraging.”
In high-pressure environments with tight international schedules, players often need someone they can trust as a mentor. Tanzid found that in Nafees. “In the national team, players work under very high intensity and face a lot of pressure. Sometimes you need someone you can talk to, discuss things with, and completely rely on. Tanzid knows that he can trust Nafees Bhai and discuss things with him. It is more about mentorship,” Nafees concluded.
