Follow UsAfter an intense round of discussion with Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have named their final 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India. Iqbal, who had been asked to withdraw his retirement a couple of months ago after intervention from the Bangladesh Prime Minister, made a comeback in the New Zealand series, but his lack of fitness reportedly played a part in Shakib Al Hasan insisting on his exclusion.
"We are all aware that Tamim Iqbal is a long-term injury concern. He returned for the New Zealand series. After the first match, there was a bit of a complaint. We thought of his injury concern when not taking him in the squad," chief selector Minhajul Abedin said, reported Cricbuzz.
"We have spoken to all concerned before taking this decision. We discussed it with Tamim. We can't tell you what we spoke about. We discussed it with the team management and didn't want to take a risk in a long World Cup campaign. It is a very important event."
The Tamim saga has been continuing in Bangladesh cricket for a while now. First, he announced his retirement from the format, then made a U-turn on his decision but stepped down as captain of Bangladesh's ODI side ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. Even though he returned for the New Zealand series, Tamim insisted that his injury should be managed during the course of the World Cup, and he couldn’t play more than five matches during the mega quadrennial event.
"You can't take risks with some injuries. If someone gets injured in the World Cup, it will get the team management into an uncomfortable situation. He played the first two matches, but we had to rest him. He had a bit of pain after the second game. We considered this before taking the decision," Abedin said.
"Tamim is one of our best players, but an injury concern restricts his ability. He had suffered from 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."
Bangladesh Squad
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.