Tamim Iqbal was asking if I was still taking drugs, very rude: Alex Hales

Former England batter Alex Hales and former Bangladesh batter Tamim Iqbal were involved in an argument during and after Match 13 of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) between Rangpur Riders and Fortune Barishal. It was the same match where Nurul Hasan smoked 30 runs in the final over to win the game for the Riders.

Talking about the incident, Hales told Channel 24: “He was asking if I was embarrassed for getting banned for drugs for England and he was asking if I was still taking drugs and he was very, very rude. It’s a real shame really because if anything happens on the field that just ends on the field, but to get personal and that too after the game, I think is pathetic, to be honest.” 

The right-handed opener tested positive for a recreational drug in 2019 and was dropped from the England squad before the ODI World Cup. This was the second time he was banned from the England set-up. Even in 2017, Hales was fined and suspended for his involvement in the Bristol brawl that led to Ben Stokes' arrest and subsequent acquittal.

Sharing his side of the story, Tamim said: “He abused Emon, and it was visible on TV. He mocked him again today. If you watch the celebration video, Rangpur players ran towards (Nurul) after the win, but Hales kept looking at me and mocking me. It seemed like he wanted a fight,” he said on Riasad Azim’s YouTube channel.

“Later, when he again insulted Emon, I had to stand up for my teammate, and I have no regrets about doing so. We both exchanged words. I didn’t even know about his ban or follow him that closely. But I do know there are many accusations against him in England. If anyone says something about me or my team, I will always stand up for us, regardless of how I’m portrayed on TV.”