DHAKA, Dec 29, 2024 (BSS)-Fortune Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal made it clear
that they are not thinking anything other than to retain the Bangladesh
Premier League (BPL) title as they kick off the campaign by taking on Durbar
Rajshahi tomorrow (Monday) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Barisal won the BPL championship under Tamim's leadership last season. This
time too, the team has kept faith on him as the captain. Barisal has also
formed a very strong squad, blending with youth and experience and some
quality foreign players.

"Last time, we were definitely under a little pressure because, we were
always one match away from being eliminated. That pressure was different," he
said here today.

"You can build the best team in the world, but you may not be the champion.
Being a champion is something that comes from above, it has to be in your
destiny. But we have to try our best to get there. And I won't sit here and
give any politically correct answer-- we have to win the title, that's it."

Tamim has already reached the twilight of his career. After seven months, he
returned to cricket with the NCL T20 to prepare him well for the BPL. He said
he is keen to give back something to the franchise as they kept faith on him.
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"Whenever you play for a franchise, you have a responsibility. They
definitely make a plan that I can expect this from this player. Sometimes
that player fulfills it, sometimes he doesn't. That's cricket. I'm sure when
Fortune Barishal took me to the team, they also had an expectation, the first
season was amazing."

"This year we are the defending champions, of course we will try to retain
the title. And personally I will just try my best. I can say one thing, if I
do the right thing and the preparation is good, that's good. The tournament
may not go the way you think. It may go better or may get worse."

When asked whether he will play in the upcoming Champions Trophy, Tamim said,
"Neither I have discussed about it with anyone else nor has anyone discussed
it with me. At this moment, I am not thinking about national team."