Tamim praises coach for encouraging play

Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal believes team coach Jamie Siddons' commitment to flair play has allowed him to flourish against England.

Tamim was unsure whether his attacking style might need to be modified when he began his Test career, but the left-handed opener has been in fine form over the last few months after being told by Siddons to go with his natural instincts.

The 21-year-old has responded to the Australian's advice with five half-centuries in six Test innings against England, culminating in a rapid second-innings hundred at Lord's last weekend.

"When I started playing Test cricket I was in two minds whether to go slow or go fast -- and originally I decided to go slow," Tamim said on Wednesday.

"It was not working for me. The first 10 Tests were not good -- I think I only got two fifties. The coaches said to play like I do in the ODIs and enjoy my batting -- 'We will not say anything to you'.

"I know the way I bat sometimes looks fantastic, sometimes looks ugly, especially if I try to smash the first ball and get caught in the slips, but I am happy with the way I play my natural game.

"If I don't score, that's fine with me because I want to play like this."

Bangladesh eventually lost the first Test but will have been encouraged by their gutsy display heading into the second Test, which starts at Old Trafford on Friday.

Although they have won just three of 67 Tests, Tamim remains optimistic they can spring a surprise in Manchester.

"Our main strength in bowling is spin, and there was nothing in the wicket at Lord's," he said.

"So we hope Old Trafford will be better for us. We have (captain) Shakib (Al Hasan) -- who is one of the best in the world -- and if he bowls well we can do better."

If Tamim frustrates the opposition along the way, it is unlikely to bother him and neither will he be put off if he encounters any sledging.

"There was some chat (at Lord's)," he said.

"But that was just part of the game -- and anyway I like to talk when I am batting. It happens in every match, and I was loving it."