Fans and analysts often strive to determine ‘who is the best opening batsman’ in cricket history. This quest typically leads to discussions that involve comparing players, including Tamim Iqbal vs Faf du Plessis.
Both Tamim and du Plessis have been leading figures in their national teams. With du Plessis having captained the South African team and Tamim being a senior player with in the Bangladesh team.
As opening batsmen, they play crucial roles in setting the tone for their team’s innings. The first ever of their face off, might be in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 match between Bangladesh and South Africa.
Tamim Iqbal took a part of a solid 60-run opening stand with Soumya Sarkar, contributing to Bangladesh’s strong start.
Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis scored 62 runs for South Africa. Despite his efforts, South Africa was unable to chase down Bangladesh’s total.
The match was notable for Bangladesh’s highest total in ODIs at 330 for 6, with significant contributions from Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Summary & Key Takeaways
ShowHead to Head Comparsion: Tamim Iqbal vs Faf du Plessis
- Tamim Iqbal's Career Highlights:
- International career from 2007 to 2023.
- Opening batter for Bangladesh.
- Played 70 Test matches, scoring 5,134 runs with an average of 38.89.
- Scored 8,313 runs in 241 ODIs with an average of 36.62.
- T20I record includes 1,758 runs in 78 matches with an average of 24.08.
- Holds several records, including the first Bangladeshi to score a century in T20 World Cup.
- Faf du Plessis's Career Highlights:
- International career from 2011 to 2021.
- Middle-order batter and former captain for South Africa.
- Played 69 Test matches, scoring 4,163 runs with an average of 40.03.
- Scored 5,507 runs in 143 ODIs with an average of 47.47.
- T20I career includes 1,528 runs in 50 matches with an average of 35.53.
- First South African to score centuries in all forms of the game.
- Comparison Insights:
- Career Span and Experience: Tamim's career is longer, indicating more international exposure.
- Performance in Different Formats: Tamim has higher run totals in Tests and ODIs, while du Plessis shows higher averages, indicating his consistency.
- Role and Batting Position: Tamim is an opening batter, setting the tone for innings. Du Plessis plays a stabilizing role in the middle order.
- Impact on Team Performance: Tamim has been crucial in Bangladesh's historic wins. Du Plessis has contributed significantly to South Africa's consistent performance, both as a player and a leader.
- Final Words:
- The comparison is challenging due to their different roles. Tamim's aggressive style and record-breaking feats for Bangladesh are notable. Du Plessis's leadership and tactical skills, along with his higher batting average in ODIs and T20Is, make him a versatile player.
- Determining who is better depends on the criteria valued, such as leadership, batting style, or impact on their respective teams.
Who Has a Better Performance: Tamim Iqbal vs Faf du Plessis?
Beyond the debate and discussion of Tamim Iqbal vs Faf du Plessis comparsion, both are two of the most prominent figures in modern cricket, each having carved out a significant place in the sport’s history.
Tamim, a Bangladeshi cricket icon, has been a cornerstone of his national team’s batting lineup, known for his aggressive and impactful opening batting.
Faf du Plessis, on the other hand, has been a key player for South Africa, renowned for his tactical acumen and consistent batting performances across all formats.
Both players have made substantial contributions to their respective teams, but who has the better performance between Faf du Plessis vs Tamim Iqbal?
The Highlight of Tamim Iqbal’s Cricket Career
Tamim Iqbal, a left-handed opening batter, has been an integral part of the Bangladesh cricket team since his debut in 2007.
His international career spans over 16 years, during which he has played 70 Test matches, scoring 5,134 runs at an average of 38.89, including 10 centuries and 31 fifties.
In ODIs, Tamim has been even more prolific, with 8,313 runs in 241 matches at an average of 36.62, including 14 centuries and 56 fifties.
His T20I record includes 1,758 runs in 78 matches at an average of 24.08. Tamim holds several records, including being the first Bangladesh to score a century in T20 World Cup and the highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in ODIs.
He has also had a significant impact in domestic and T20 franchise cricket, playing for teams like Chittagong Division, Nottinghamshire, and Peshawar Zalmi.
The Highlight of Faf du Plessis’s Cricket Career
Faf du Plessis, a right-handed middle-order batter, has been a key player for South Africa, especially known for his captaincy and strategic thinking.
His Test career includes 69 matches with 4,163 runs at an average of 40.03, including 10 centuries. In ODIs, du Plessis amassed 5,507 runs in 143 matches at an impressive average of 47.47, with 12 centuries.
His T20I career features 1,528 runs in 50 matches at an average of 35.53. Du Plessis is the first South African to score centuries in all forms of the game and has a notable record of defeating Australia in Australia in all three formats.
His domestic career includes stints with teams like Titans, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Comparison of Faf du Plessis vs Tamim Iqbal: Who is Better?
The debate over who is the superior cricketer between Faf du Plessis vs Tamim Iqbal is a fascinating one, given their impressive careers and contributions to their respective national teams.
Both have showcased remarkable skills and have left indelible marks in the cricketing world. Here’s a detailed comparison of their careers to provide a clearer perspective:
1. Career Span and Experience
Tamim Iqbal’s career spans over a longer period (2007-2023) compared to Faf du Plessis (2011-2021), indicating more years of international exposure.
2. Performance in Different Formats
Tamim has a higher run total in Tests and ODIs, showcasing his role as a prolific opener for Bangladesh. Du Plessis, with a higher average in Tests and ODIs, demonstrates his consistency and ability to play crucial innings in the middle order.
3. Role and Batting Position
Tamim Iqbal, as an opening batter, has the responsibility of giving a solid start to the innings, often facing the new ball. Faf du Plessis, batting in the middle order, often plays the role of stabilizing the innings and is crucial in finishing games.
4. Impact on Team Performance
Tamim Iqbal has been instrumental in many of Bangladesh’s historic wins and has played a key role in elevating the team’s status in international cricket.
Du Plessis has been a part of a more consistently high-performing team and has contributed significantly both as a player and a leader.
Final Words on Tamim Iqbal vs Faf du Plessis Comparison
Comparing Tamim Iqbal vs Faf du Plessis is challenging due to their different roles and contexts within their teams.
Tamim, as an opening batter, has set the tone for many of Bangladesh’s innings and holds several national records.
His aggressive style and ability to score big have been crucial for Bangladesh’s success in international cricket.
Faf du Plessis, meanwhile, has been a middle-order mainstay for South Africa and is celebrated for his leadership and tactical skills.
His higher batting average in ODIs and significant contributions in T20Is, along with his success as a captain, make him a versatile and impactful player.
In terms of sheer run-scoring and consistency, du Plessis has an edge, especially in ODIs and T20Is.
However, Tamim’s role as an opener and his record-breaking feats for Bangladesh, a team that has often been an underdog in international cricket, cannot be overlooked.
Both players have been instrumental in their teams’ successes and have left indelible marks on the sport.
Therefore, determining who is better between Tamim Iqbal vs Faf du Plessis depends on the specific criteria one values – be it leadership, batting style, or impact on their respective teams.
