ZCZC
BSP-13
CRICKET-TAMIM-SKIP-INDIA
Tamim Iqbal opts out India tour
DHAKA, Oct 26, 2019 (BSS)-Bangladesh national opener Tamim Iqbal has
pulled out himself from the tour of India due to personal reasons, Bangladesh
Cricket Board (BCB) said today.
Tamim Iqbal informed BCB that he is unavailable for the tour as he wishes
to be with his wife who is expecting a second child.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20s and two Tests in India in
November 2019. The two-match Test series is the part of Bangladesh World Test
Championship game.
”Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal Khan has pulled himself out of
the Tour of India on personal grounds,” said a BCB press release.
”Tamim had communicated his reasons for wanting to miss the tour and the
board accepted the request. The BCB will name a replacement for Tamim
shortly,” it added.
Earlier, there was speculation that Tamim might miss part of India series
but later he eventually decided to skip the whole tour and spend time with
his wife in Bangkok.
BCB had brought Imrul Kayes in the preparation camp but he is not sure as
a replacement.
”We have brought Imrul Kayes as the coach wanted to see him but we are
yet to decide whether he will be replacement or not,” BCB chief selector
Minhajul Abedin told the BSS when his attention was drawn about replacement
after drafting Kayes in the preparation camp.
Tamim, the seasoned opener, took rest during the upcoming one-off Test
against Afghanistan and the subsequent Tri-nation T20 series, citing fatigue.
His decision came up following a poor run of form during the World Cup and
three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Tamim had a below-par outing in the three-match ODI series against Sri
Lanka, where he accumulated only 21 runs. He also couldn’t make an impact in
the World Cup, scoring just one fifty and ended up with 235 runs from eight
innings at an average of 29.37.
He prepared for the season by playing in the opening phase of the National
Cricket League. He was also due to play the second round NCL game, only to
skip himself after sustaining a rib injury.
BSS/SMP/TAN/1920hrs