Bangladesh Opener Tamim Iqbal Withdraws From Upcoming T20 World Cup

Mumbai: Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal on Wednesday announced that he is not available for selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in the United Arab Emirates this year.

Tamim suffered a knee injury during the Test series against Sri Lanka in April this year and was ruled out of the T20I series against Zimbabwe and Australia.

“I just called board president Papon Bhai (Nazmul Hasan) and chief selector Nanno Bhai (Minhajul Abedin) a few minutes back and I told them that I don’t think I should be playing in the T20 World Cup and I will not be available for it. I have taken that decision and I will stick to it. I am not retiring. It is just that I am not available for this World Cup,” said Tamim in a video message posted on his Facebook account.

“I think game-plan in one of the biggest reasons, because I am not playing this format for a long time and second knee injury, but I don’t think that is a big problem because I feel I will be okay before the World Cup,” he added.

The left-hander also said that he has missed a lot of T20 action this year and hence should not take anyone else’s chances in the World Cup squad.

“As I did not play in the last 15 to 20 T20 matches, and whoever replaced me, I don’t think it would be fair on them if I take their place,” said Tamim.

Bangladesh will take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, beginning later on Wednesday.

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