Tamim opts out of T20I series against New Zealand

Bangladesh One-Day International (ODI) captain Tamim Iqbal has opted out of the T20 International (T20I) series against New Zealand due to personal reasons. "I have communicated it to the team management and the head coach and I wish the best for the team," Tamim said, according to Cricbuzz.

However, Tamim remains hopeful of playing the first ODI after missing the warm-up match due to a hamstring injury. “I am hopeful of playing the opening game. I have practiced today and will be practicing tomorrow, and I am in good shape following the hamstring injury," he said.

Tamim is not the only player to miss out on the T20I series. Star all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan had taken paternity leave ahead of the New Zealand tour and will also miss the Test series against Sri Lanka in April to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Asked about Shakib’s absence, Tamim said, ''We have to look at it in this manner that we might not get all the players every time, and we must look forward (to playing) even when they are not available.”

Having as many as six pacers in the squad, Tamim remains confident that they will put in a good showing the series. “I think the pace bowlers are in good shape (and) now they have to execute. Second... all the team members are having the faith in them to do well. We have got the best possible preparation ahead of the series and now it's time for us to deliver.

''We will play with three pace bowlers along with (an) all-rounder. In New Zealand, we have to play with five genuine bowlers because it can be difficult at times if you are playing with four bowlers,'' he added.

New Zealand and Bangladesh face-off in the three-match ODI series starting from March 20 in Dunedin. They will then shift their focus to the shortest format, with the T20I series commencing from March 28 in Hamilton.