Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladesh batsman who wasn’t called up for ICC World Cup 2023 squad, opened up about his omission in a bombastic 12-minute video on social media. The former Bangladesh captain dismissed media reports stating he didn’t want to play more than five matches in the World Cup. He also put aside rumours of him being injured.
Tamim Iqbal had announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket three months before the World Cup in India. However, a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina convinced him to have a change of heart just a day later.
Tamim Iqbal was picked for the Bangladesh side that toured New Zealand. He played the first two ODIs but asked to rested on the third and final match. His wish was granted but BCB didn’t take to the appeal kindly. Tamim was left out of the World Cup squad, prompting the batsman to post a lengthy video on social media to provide his version of the events.
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In a long video on Facebook, Tamim said, “What has been said in the media for the past few days is far from the truth. As you all know I retired, there was a reason. When I withdrew my decision at the Prime Minister’s request, in the next 2 months I struggled a lot to get myself fit. All those who had been with me like the physio, and trainers would agree that there was no session or exercise that they wanted and I didn’t complete. When the game came to a close [New Zealand series] I was not very satisfied mentally.
“However, I was very happy after the match [ against New Zealand]. What happened in the last 4-5 months was not so much in mind. I was looking forward to playing in the World Cup. If you come back to play after such a long time, naturally there will be pain. The same happened to me. There was a little pain after the first match. It happened in the next match. After the game, I told the physio about my condition. Just at that moment, 3 selectors came to the dressing room.”
Tamim added, “I never, at any moment, told anyone that I could not play more than 5 matches. It never happened. I don’t know how these false, wrong words got into the media or who brought them. This is completely false. I told the selectors, my body will be like this. Keep this in mind while choosing a team. I didn’t want another controversy. So I told the selectors about my fitness issues with full honesty. Injuries were not a big factor in my going to the World Cup. There may be pain, but I’m not injured yet.”
Tamim also revealed he was asked to bat in the lower middle order, which surprised him.
Bangladesh ODI World Cup 2023 squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Litton Das (Vice-captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
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