Tamim Iqbal hits 1st century of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 vs England

Tamim Iqbal scored the first century of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 but Joe Root’s classy 133* overshadowed southpaw’s knock as England thrashed Bangladesh by 8 wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 opener at The Oval in London on Thursday. (England vs Bangladesh highlights)

This was Tamim’s 9th century in One-Day Internationals (ODI) and one he will remember for a long time if it helps Bangladesh win the crucial Group A tie.

The southpaw got off to a good start with his opening partner Soumya Sarkar as the two notched up 56 runs before the latter got out in the 12th over. (England vs Bangladesh scores)

Tamim, who also has 36 ODI half-centuries, then combined well with Imrul Kayes (19) and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim before bringing up his fifty.

Tamim and Mushfiqur batted well together to bring up their hundred run partnership and also took Bangladesh well past the 200-run mark.

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This also was Tamim’s second century against England.

The left-handed batsman has been in form coming into the ICC Champions Trophy, having scored a brilliant century in the warm-up game against Pakistan. The southpaw smashed 102 off just 93 balls which included nine boundaries and four huge sixes.

The 28-year-old Chittagong-born also hit two-half centuries in the tri-nation series involving Ireland and New Zealand where he was the highest-scorer for Bangladesh with 199 runs in four matches at an average of 66.33.