New Delhi: Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has reacted to the possibility of his international cricket comeback. The top order batter last played for the national side in September last year in a One-Day International match against New Zealand in Dhaka.
In July 2023, a teary-eyed Tamim announced retirement after rebuke from then Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan over the player’s availability to play Afghanistan ODIs despite not having complete fitness.
Tamim reversed the retirement decision within 24 hours after getting coaxed by then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, he wasn’t picked for Bangladesh’s 2023 World Cup squad as he couldn’t heal from his back injury.
Taking to a Facebook post, Tamim revealed that a BCB official told him that he would have to bat lower down the order than his desired opening slot in the World Cup. After Tamim’s comments, then Bangladesh ODI captain Shakib Al Hasan called his teammate of being ‘childish’ and not a team man. In the build up to the marquee event, Nazmul Hasan in an interview to Bengali Protidiner Bangladesh said that Shakib and Tamim didn’t speak to each other.
Will Tamim return to Bangladesh team?
Tamim hasn’t returned to Bangladesh’s international setup across formats. He has been seen in a new avatar of a commentator for the ongoing India-Bangladesh Test series for the official broadcasters in India. When the most successful Bangladesh opener was asked about his potential comeback to the national side, he said only if there is a purpose he will comeback.
“The way I finished, it wasn’t pleasant. So, for me to come back and play, I need to have a purpose. I am not someone who would come back for the heck of it and then play just four or five games. What is the point? Everybody says, ‘Come back, we want you’, but if I turn up for five games, will that help Bangladesh cricket?” Tamim told Sportstar.
“If there is a proper plan in terms of what they want to do and achieve, then I can think about it and we can talk accordingly….” he added.
With 15,192 runs across all formats of international cricket in 387 matches, Tamim is Bangladesh’s second most run-getter after Mushfiqur Rahim (15211).
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has reacted to the possibility of his international cricket comeback. The top order batter last played for the national side in September last year in a One-Day International match against New Zealand in Dhaka. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
