Tamim Iqbal pulls out of T20 World Cup

Tamim Iqbal, whose indifferent form and injuries have been a severe cause of concern, has pulled himself out of the upcoming T20 World Cup. In a video, Iqbal sent across his message, stating it wouldn't be fair if he directly takes up a youngster's spot despite missing many recent tours due to regular recurrence of injuries. 

''I’m not retiring. I just won’t be available for this WC. And It’s fair cause the young openers have been playing for the last 15/16 T20Is. I can not just come in & take their place. It’d be unfair. And I believe they have more to offer than me,” Tamim said through a video message.

“To the media, please no phone calls, no WhatsApp messages. I have taken my decision & I’ll stick to it. I always do what I feel is right & this is what I’ve felt this time. I’ll be available for other bilateral T20 series in the future. So see you all soon,” he added. 

A former T20I skipper and one of the most legendary figures in their line-up, Iqbal had last played an international match in July against Zimbabwe but his last T20I match came in March 2020 when Bangladesh hosted Zimbabwe in Dhaka. Bangladesh will play their first encounter against Scotland in the T20 World Cup on October 17. They are clubbed with Oman, Papua New Guinea, and Scotland in the Qualifiers group.