Principal Selector elucidates Tamim's exclusion from the WC side

The media was given an explanation by Bangladesh national cricket team selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu as to why seasoned opener Tamim Iqbal was left out of the team for the next World Cup in India.

 

Tamim's notable omission from the 15-man squad for the major event was revealed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday night.

"Everyone knows that Tamim poses a risk for chronic injuries. He came back for the series in New Zealand. Following the second game, there was some complaining. According to chief selector Minhajul, "We considered his injury concern when not taking him in the squad," during a press conference.

“We have spoken to all concerned before taking this decision. We discussed it with Tamim. We discussed it with the team management, and didn’t want to take a risk in a long World Cup campaign.

“You can’t take risk with some injuries. If someone gets injured in the World Cup, it will get the team management into an uncomfortable situation. He (Tamim) played the first two matches against New Zealand, but we had to rest him in the third game in this series.

“Tamim is one of our best players but an injury concern restricts his ability. He had suffered with back pain for a long time so the New Zealand series was a chance to check his fitness. He played the second game fully, but he didn’t play the third match. We discussed it with the medical team, after which we took the decision.”

Tamim announced shock retirement from international cricket in July this year while he was the captain during the home series against Afghanistan.

But later he had to reverse his decision following the intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and worked on his recovery.

He returned to the field with the just concluded three-match One Day International series against New Zealand in Dhaka.

The first ODI of the series was washed out and in the second, Tamim got the opportunity to bat and scored 44 off 58 deliveries with seven boundaries.

But during the post-match press conference, Tamim informed that he felt relieved to be back in cricket but still felt discomfort after his innings in the second ODI.

As a consequence, he was rested for the third and final ODI and eventually overlooked for the World Cup squad due to fitness concern.