Fruitful session with Tamim helps Najmul hone skills
Bangladesh Test skipper Najmul Hossain said on Wednesday that he thoroughly enjoyed his session with the country's legendary opener Tamim Iqbal where they worked on the issues that's been plaguing him for a while. Najmul, who is eyeing a comeback in the national T20 set-up through performances in the BPL, refused to disclose details about the closed-door session but admitted that he got the answers that he was looking for.
Tamim arrived at the BCB indoors with Najmul at around 11 in the morning and spent substantial amount of time where the Test skipper was seen honing his skill against off-spin. He was also accompanied by his childhood mentor Sohel Islam, who is currently working as the head coach of BCB Tigers program, designed to work with national players during their off-season.
"I had a good session today along with Tamim Iqbal and Sohel Islam Sir," Najmul told Cricbuzz on Wednesday. "This is a secret (what I did in the session) and I can't tell you as it is a technical matter," he said. "The day before yesterday I was talking to the coach (Sohel) and I have been struggling with a certain issue for about a year," he said.
"I wasn't getting a proper solution. I was working on it, but wasn't getting a proper solution. So, I was looking for someone who could help me with this. I watched various interviews of big players and commentators and listened to them, but I still wasn't getting that solution. Then I realized that in our own country, there is someone who has faced this exact thing, been successful, and handled it very well, both technically and mentally," he said.
"Then I decided I would do a session with him. Before that, I took permission from Sohel Islam, asking how it would be if I did this. He gave the green signal and said it would be very good. So then I called him today and he came very happily and gave me a long time," he said.
"I feel like the expectation I had (from Tamim as far as solving the problem) was fulfilled and the rest now depends on how I execute it in the field," he said.
"There were a couple of things I needed to know and one thing I needed to show. I've learned those in detail, and the problem I had, I discussed it today in front of him, so I've caught onto that thing."
Najmul enjoyed a successful year in Test cricket in 2025, scoring 532 runs from six matches at an average of 59.11, including three centuries. However, his form in ODIs was less impressive, as he managed only 217 runs from 11 matches at an average of 19.72 and a strike rate of 65.95.
The former T20 captain, who only featured in one T20I in 2025, scoring 27 at a strike rate of 142.10 against the UAE, hasn't been considered in the shorter format in the recent past.
When contacted after the session, Tamim told Cricbuzz that he is always ready to support cricketers whenever they seek his help. "When I was reached out, I only said, 'If anybody needs help, I am always there for them'. That's it, nothing else," said Tamim without elaborating further.
Tamim, who announced his retirement from international cricket in January 2025, is yet to try his luck as a coach unlike some of his team mates who took over coaching as a profession.
