In a major development in Bangladesh cricket, the batter Tamim Iqbal stepped down as ODI captain on Thursday, August 3. He is also ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 due to his recurring back injury.
Earlier reports suggested the player's struggles with his back injury as he returned from England after getting medical advice. Tamim's absence will be a major blow for the Bangladesh side who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat in the ODI series against Afghanistan at home last month.
But fans will be more surprised by his decision to resign as captain ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 and then the ICC ODI World Cup. It's not been a month since his shock decision to leave captaincy and then reverse his decision after the intervention by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The 34-year-old opener remains Bangladesh's leading run-scorer in international cricket, including in ODIs. So, his sudden decision to leave captaincy duties comes as a shocker for the fans and especially to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in the World Cup year. Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, wicketkeeper batters Litton Das and Mushifiqur Rahim are the leading contenders to succeed Tamim as ODI captain for Bangladesh.
"As you know I had an important meeting with Jalal bhai [Jalal Yunus] and Papon bhai [Nazmul Hassan]. We have discussed what will happen going forward. Today I step down as Bangladesh cricket team ODI captain," Tamim said in a press conference. "I have taken injections but those treatments are almost hit and miss at this point. I have spoken of my problems with them. I have always thought about the team first."
Tamim revealed that he took this decision for the betterment of the team but added that he will continue to contribute as a batter in future.
"Stepping down would be the best possible thing. I talked to the PM today and I gave her the message as well and she made me understand everything really nicely. Main thing is, for the betterment of the team, I should step down as captain and try to give my best as a player whenever the opportunity comes," Tamim added.
