Former Bangladesh Captain Tamim Iqbal Discusses Potential Return to National Team
Ex-Bangladesh captain and opening batsman, Tamim Iqbal, has expressed that the conditions of his return to the national team must be ‘just right’. He made this statement in a press conference following his team’s victory in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
“I want to make it clear that for me to return, several factors need to align. Otherwise, there’s no point in me just coming back to play,” Tamim asserted.
Enjoy Tamim Iqbal’s innings for Bangladesh against Oman in this Match 12 video of the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016.
In July of the previous year, Tamim announced his retirement from cricket during the home ODI series against Afghanistan, just a few months before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. However, after intervention from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he reversed his decision.
Prior to the World Cup, Tamim made himself unavailable for selection and did not participate in the tournament. His last appearance for Bangladesh in the ODI format was against New Zealand in September 2023.
“I am at a point in my career where I might play for another two years. I need to discuss such matters with them, and since I haven’t had a final conversation, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment here.”
“I haven’t spoken with the new chief selector yet. I was in touch with Jalal bhai (Jalal Yunus). I was available for a discussion, but unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance. I will be travelling abroad tomorrow morning, and hopefully, after I return, we will sit,” he added.
Tamim continues to play in franchise leagues and captains the Fortune Barishal team in the BPL, where he led them to victory and finished as the top run-scorer in the recent season with 492 runs.
Mushfiqur Rahim, a veteran keeper-batsman who has been part of Bangladesh’s most thrilling World Cup victories, is eager to add more at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who announced his retirement from T20Is in 2022, plays for the same team as Tamim. Tamim believes that if Mushfiqur were to come out of retirement, the Bangladesh team would greatly ‘benefit’, especially with the T20 World Cup scheduled for June.
“If Mushfiqur decides to make a comeback, there are numerous examples of legendary cricketers who have returned from retirement and performed exceptionally. Considering his recent form, if he decides to return to T20Is, it would be a significant advantage for Bangladesh, and nothing could be better than that,” Tamim concluded.