Tamim Iqbal Excluded from Cricket World Cup 2023 Squad

By sahiba
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Updated: September 27, 2023
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Former Bangladesh Captain Tamim Iqbal Omitted from Cricket World Cup 2023 Squad

In a significant development, Bangladesh has unveiled its 15-man squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, and the notable omission from the squad is former captain Tamim Iqbal. The decision to leave out Tamim is primarily due to ongoing injury concerns, which have raised doubts about his fitness for the tournament. This decision comes as a surprise, given Tamim’s stature in Bangladesh cricket and his recent return to the national side after a brief retirement.

Tamim Iqbal, a seasoned cricketer at 34, has long been one of Bangladesh’s most dependable players. He holds the distinction of being the only Bangladeshi to score centuries in all three formats of the game, a testament to his skill and adaptability. His experience and leadership on the field have made him a pivotal figure in the team, earning him the captaincy role in the past.

However, Tamim’s journey to the World Cup squad has been marred by injury concerns. Despite announcing his retirement from cricket in July, he reversed his decision just a day later at the request of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This led to his return to the national side for the opening two matches of the recent home series against New Zealand.

While his return was met with anticipation and excitement, it was clear that Tamim was not at his physical best. During the series against New Zealand, he decided to take a break from the final match, citing injury concerns. Additionally, he was unable to provide a guarantee that he would be available for all matches in the upcoming World Cup.

The decision to omit Tamim from the World Cup squad was reportedly influenced by the coaching staff, including coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, and captain Shakib Al Hasan. They emphasized the need for fully fit players in the squad, particularly in a high-stakes tournament like the World Cup. While Tamim had been battling his injury concerns and managed to regain fitness ahead of the New Zealand series, it became apparent that he was not operating at full capacity.

Chief selector Mihajul Abedin confirmed the persistent injury concern surrounding Tamim and acknowledged the difficulty of leaving out a player of his caliber. However, the selectors and team management prioritized the fitness and readiness of the players who would represent Bangladesh on the global stage.

As Bangladesh prepares for the World Cup, there are undoubtedly mixed emotions regarding Tamim’s absence. His contributions to the team over the years have been invaluable, and his return from retirement had sparked hope for his continued leadership. Nonetheless, the team must move forward with the selected squad, which features key players who will be tasked with representing Bangladesh in the tournament.

In light of this development, batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made his debut as captain during the New Zealand series, has been named vice-captain for the World Cup. This decision reflects the team’s commitment to nurturing young talent and ensuring a smooth transition in leadership.

Bangladesh is gearing up for the World Cup with a series of warm-up matches. The team is set to play against Sri Lanka on September 29 and England on October 2 before the World Cup officially commences on October 5. The opening match of their World Cup campaign is scheduled against Afghanistan on October 7.

As the World Cup approaches, Bangladesh will look to make the most of the talent available and aim for a successful campaign, despite the absence of Tamim Iqbal. The squad will carry the hopes and aspirations of cricket fans in Bangladesh as they compete on the global stage in one of cricket’s most prestigious tournaments.

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By-Sahiba Suri