Dhaka: Bangladesh's dashing opener Tamim Iqbal scored a run-a-ball 7 with a six in his first appearance for Essex Eagles against Kent Spitfires in the 4th NatWest T20 Blast at Kent County Cricket Ground in England on Sunday.

Essex won the toss and elected to bat first and suffered the first jolt losing Tamim at 28 in 3.2 overs. Tamim was bowled out by Adam Milne.

Essex was on batting with 88 for 3 in 12.3 overs where Ravi Bopara and skipper Ryan ten Doeschate at the crease with 19 and 0 runs.

Varun Chopra stayed for 47 off 38 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, while Tom Westley added 13 runs for the side.

Adam Milne, James Neesham and James Tredwell took one wicket each for Kent Spitfires.

Including the day's (Sunday) match, Tamim is likely to be available for 7 to 8 games for Essex.

Tamim missed out the Essex's first battle against Surrey in their nine-team South Group fixture on July 7 where his side lost by 2 runs.

Tamim got the offer to play for county side Essex following his brilliant performances against England and Australia in the last Champions Trophy in England and Wales, though he had represented Nottinghamshire in 2011 without much distinction.

In his first stint in this T20 league for Nottinghamshire in 2011, Tamim scored 104 runs in 5 matches at average 20.80 runs.