Bangladesh selectors are waiting
Tamim Iqbal to decide on a possible return to international cricket before the
Champions Trophy next month The deadline to announce the squads is January 12, and the BCB is willing to wait until the last minute to see if Tamim wants to play. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain led talks with Tamim at team hotel Fortune Barishal in Sylhet; Tamim is the team captain
in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Tamim retired from international cricket in July 2023, earlier
reverse their decision the next day after the intervention of the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. Tamim had a falling out with then BCB president Nazmul Hassan. Both Hasina and Hassan fled the country during anti-government protests in mid-2024 that left several hundred protesters dead.
Tamim relinquished the captaincy during that clash with the board in 2023, but returned to play in two ODIs against New Zealand in September before the then selectors, led by Minhajul Abedin,
he dropped it for the 2023 World Cup. He was followed by the then captain
Shakib Al Hasan attacking Tamim in a televised interview.
Tamim has not played an international match since then, but has continued to play domestic cricket, incl
winning BPL 2024 with the Barishal franchise and finishing as Player of the Tournament. Tamim is currently defending this title in Sylhet, where the meeting with the national selectors took place.
“We had a main discussion with Tamim,” said Gazi Ashraf Hossain. “We have to announce the Champions Trophy squad before January 12, so we have a little bit of time. We want him to take his time, not rush to decide. We have spoken to him on behalf of the board. The player has to make a decision after talking to his family, friends and supporters. He is also in the middle of a tournament so he will need some time.
“We have four days left [before announcing the squad]. We’ve done our homework, so we know how things will go. We respect a cricketer like Tamim Iqbal, that he can take his time before informing us. I think that’s fair enough. The board is fine with that, so now everyone has to be patient.”
“We have to announce the Champions Trophy squad before January 12, so we have a little bit of time. We want him to take his time, not rush to decide. We have spoken to him on behalf of the board. The player. must make a decision after talking to his family, friends and supporters.”
Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain
Gazi Ashraf said that the ODI captain
Najmul Hossain Shanto is in favor of Tamim’s return. “We are always talking to the captain. However, he was not there when we spoke to Tamim. We have spoken to the captain separately about the squad. I think everyone wants Tamim back in the Bangladesh team.”
Gazi Ashraf said this showed that Tamim is fit, although he will have to get a call if he can make the step up to international cricket. “There is a big gap between domestic and international cricket. A player who is at a crucial time in his career, he has to consider a lot of things. I think it will be rash for everyone to take a call in one meeting , considering that Tamim has not been around international cricket for a while.
“He is playing in the BPL. He played in the NCL T20s. There is no doubt about his ability. We are all waiting for his return to the Bangladesh team. He is very welcome from us. Just wait. What’s up be. suspension”.
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