In a surprising turn of events, former Bangladesh cricket team captain Tamim Iqbal has revealed the circumstances surrounding his decision to withdraw from consideration for the upcoming World Cup squad. Tamim’s candid video showed a conversation with a high-ranking official from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), ultimately leading to his shocking exit from the tournament.
Tamim disclosed that the BCB official had informed him of his inclusion in the World Cup squad but under specific conditions related to his fitness. These conditions included sitting out the opening game against Afghanistan and possibly being sent down the batting order. This revelation raised eyebrows and concerns among cricket enthusiasts.
Expressing his dismay at the proposed changes, Tamim emphasized the abruptness of the situation. He recounted the conversation, stating, “A top-level official of the board who is involved with our cricket called me and told me that you will go to the World Cup, and we have to make you play by managing [your fitness].” Tamim’s dissatisfaction with the suggested alterations to his role within the team was evident.
“He told, ‘Do one thing; you don’t play the opening game against Afghanistan’. I told him to look; there are still 10 to 12 days, and in 12-13 days, I will be in a good state, so why should I not be playing? Then he said, ‘If you play, we plan to send you down the order.’
Tamim, who has consistently played in the same position for the last 17 years, was taken aback by the suggestion of changing his batting position. He made it clear that he had no prior experience batting at numbers three or four and was unwilling to adapt to such a significant play style alteration.
“You have to understand I’m coming from which mindset. I played a good innings after a while (against New Zealand), and I was happy about it. But suddenly, these kinds of words were not something I could take,” he said.
“I have been playing in the same position for the last 17 years and never batted at three or four. If I was batting at three or four and later my batting position was changed up and down, in that case, it could be adjusted. But I don’t have any experience batting at three and four positions. Certainly, I did not take it well. I was forced in a lot of areas willingly like it is going well, let’s do something new. That is what I was feeling.
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Perturbed by the sudden change, Tamim made a bold statement, declaring his unwillingness to be part of what he referred to as BCB’s “dirty game.” He expressed his reluctance to be coerced into a situation that did not align with his long-established playing style and preferences.
“At that point, I said that if you are thinking like this, then don’t send me because I don’t want to be part of this dirty game. Later, I spoke a lot with him that I don’t want to disclose on this platform, and I want it to remain between us. Still, I told him, ” If these things happen, don’t keep me because I don’t want to be part of these dirty things,” he said.
Tamim highlighted the physio’s report, which mentioned occasional pain but did not impose any restrictions on his availability for the tournament. He clarified, “There was nowhere written [in the physio report] that I would be available for five matches or cannot play. I am not denying that I had pain, and basically, this is what happened.”
“According to the physio report, my condition was explained… like there was pain after the first game and there was pain after the second game, and he is available for selection for the game on the 26th, but the medical department felt if I take rest, we travel on the 27th… We have a practice game on 28 [29] and another one on 1st or 2nd, and if I play the second practice game. If I take rest now and play the second practice game, I will have enough rest, and overall, I will have 10-week rehab and be in a good position to play the first game,” he said.
“There was nowhere written [in the physio report] that I would be available for five matches or cannot play. I am not denying that I had pain; this is what happened. What is coming in the media…about my injury or that I’m available for five matches… I don’t think It isn’t attending the World Cup because I was not injured until now. There can be pain, but I was not injured,” Tamim added.
Tamim addressed the media’s portrayal of his injury, asserting that it was not the primary reason for his withdrawal from the World Cup. He stressed that while he experienced pain, it did not amount to a significant injury, and he was, in fact, available for selection.
