Bangladesh veteran Tamim Iqbal takes a six-month sabbatical from T20I: Tamim Iqbal is not yet thinking of returning to the T20 setup with his focus on ODIs and Tests to be played with the national team . Iqbal had stayed away from the team for the past 12 months, missing the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, where Bangladesh lost all their games. The left-handed starter’s decision effectively rules him out of the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, but the veteran could return if the going gets tough.
Bangladeshi star Tamim Iqbal has effectively ruled himself out of the T20 World Cup in 2022 after announcing a six-month break from T20I. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials, including chairman Nazmul Hassan, had been involved in talks with the veteran to dissuade him from the decision, but Iqbal stood his ground, shifting his focus to the longer formats of the game.
In a press conference, Tamim Iqbal insisted that it was a cricket decision and that his focus is on Tests and ODIs this year, but he will only reconsider T20Is if circumstances get difficult for the team.
Tamim Iqbal Statement
Tamim Iqbal said: “There have been discussions about my future T20I. In the past few days, I have been having meetings with the BCB Chairman (Nazmul Hassan) and Jalal (Yunus) bhai and Kazi Inam (Ahmed). They wanted me to continue with the T20I until the World Cup (this year). I had a different kind of thinking. I will not consider the T20I for the next six months.”
The Bangladeshi veteran added: “My full focus will be on Tests and ODIs. We are preparing for the World Test Championship and the qualification for the World Cup in 2023. I will not think about the T20I in the next six months. I hope that those who play do so well, that the team does not need me in T20Is. But if God forbid, the cricket team or the cricket board needs me, and I’m ready, maybe I’ll think about it.”
Before the T20 World Cup in October last year, Tamim Iqbal had voluntarily withdrawn to give opportunities to openers like Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Naim. Iqbal had missed most of the preparation for the tournament and believed it was only fair to make way for the youngsters. His last T20I came against Zimbabwe in 2020, after which he missed the remainder of the three-game series with a knee injury.
Tamim Iqbal also missed the home series against India due to injury
The left-handed opening batsman missed the ODI series against India in December 2022 due to a Tier 1 groin rating. Liton Das led the team to a 2-1 series victory.
Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said in December:
“Tamim has a grade 1 strain in his right groin which was confirmed after an MRI. We will maintain a conservative treatment protocol for him for two weeks, after which he will begin his rehabilitation. Unfortunately, that means he will not be available for the ODI series. and it will be doubtful for the Test series.”
The senior player was unable to be fit in time for the Test series, which India ended up winning by a 2-0 margin. In his absence, rookie pairing Zakir Hasan and Najmul Shanto did a solid job, but were unable to lead the team to victory.
England Scheduled
England are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on February 24 to play three ODIs and as many T20i matches. The three ODIs, which are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, are scheduled for March 1, 3 and 6, while the T20 matches will take place on March 9, 12 and 14. March, respectively.
The first two 50+ matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) will host the third and final ODI and first game of the T20 series. The teams will return to Dhaka for the second and third T20i matches at the SBNCS.
