Tamim 'completely surprised' by Law decision

Tamim Iqbal, one of Bangladesh's top batsmen, has said he had no idea that the national coach Stuart Law was going to resign. He was talking hours after Law announced his decision to quit as Bangladesh coach.

"I'm completely taken by surprise," Tamim told ESPNcricinfo. "But family comes first." Law was stepping down less than a month after guiding Bangladesh to the final of the Asia Cup.

Tamim said Law had added to the professionalism brought in by his predecessors as coach, the Australian pair of Dav Whatmore and Jamie Siddons. "Law gave us the belief that we can do it," Tamim said. "And that only pumped up the players. He used to give us tremendous amount of confidence. A team like us needs the confidence and he always supported us.

"The relationship between a coach and the players takes time to develop usually and with Stuey, we were almost there. Everyone was enjoying his presence in the dressing room and he was enjoying being with us as well."

Tamim also gave a personal example of Law's influence. "When I was going through a rough patch during the Pakistan series (last December) he kept pushing me to work hard. There is one line I can never forget. He said: 'Someone is hurt now and someone will be hurt in the Asia Cup.'" Tamim made four half-centuries in four matches in the Asia Cup and finished as the second-highest run-maker in the tournament.

Tamim said he was also disappointed as he felt Law's departure was a bit of a backward step for Bangladesh cricket. "We will miss him definitely. This is the tragedy with Bangladesh cricket: whenever we do something good, something bad happens."