5 reasons Bangladesh is mighty at home

#2. The 'Tamim' factor

In sub-continent Tests, the best time to score runs is when the ball is new. The old ball turns and reverse swings dangerously and is difficult to hit. Due to its hardness, the new ball comes onto the bat easily and hence is ideal for playing strokes.

Also, the pitch only gets worse with each passing day and thus the onus of scoring runs lies on the shoulders of the batsmen who bat at the top. On most occasions, runs from the openers end up setting up the game for the teams and this is exactly what Tamim Iqbal is doing for Bangladesh.

In Dhaka Test against England, Bangladesh scored 220 runs off which, 104 came from Tamim's bat alone. Also, in the first Test against Australia, the opening batsman amassed 71 and 78 runs in two innings.

Since 2014, the left-hander has scored the most runs at the opening position in Tests played in the sub-continent. With 1345 runs at an average of 46.37 he has ensured that Bangladesh got off to a flying start in every innings.