Why is Tamim Iqbal not playing today’s AFG vs BAN match of ODI World Cup 2023?

Bangladesh is gearing up for the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. When Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled their 15-man squad for the much-anticipated tournament, one significant exclusion from the squad was of former captain Tamim Iqbal.

Why is Tamim Iqbal not playing today’s AFG vs BAN match of ODI World Cup 2023?

Tamim Iqbal, a seasoned cricketer at the age of 34, had previously retired in a surprising move in July, only to reverse the decision at the request of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a day later. He made a comeback to the national side for the initial two matches of the home series against New Zealand.

The omission from the squad is attributed to persistent injury concerns. Tamim took a break from the final match of the recent series against New Zealand in Dhaka, and it was reported that he couldn’t guarantee his participation in all matches of the World Cup. This uncertainty and his persistent injury concern played a crucial role in the decision to exclude him from the World Cup squad.

Throughout his cricketing journey, Tamim has proven to be one of Bangladesh’s most reliable players, notably becoming the only Bangladeshi to achieve centuries in all three cricketing formats.

Bangladesh’s chief selector, Mihajul Abedin, highlighted Tamim’s persistent injury issue and stated that only fully fit players could be included in the World Cup squad, which ultimately led to Tamim’s exclusion.

In light of Tamim Iqbal’s absence, Batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto, who captained during the recent series against New Zealand, has been named as the vice-captain for the World Cup.

As the World Cup approaches, the Bangladesh side is preparing rigorously, traveling to Guwahati for two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and England before the official commencement of the tournament on October 5th. Their first tournament match is scheduled against Afghanistan on October 7th in Dharamshala.

The team is hopeful and aims to put their best foot forward in the World Cup, showcasing their talent and determination on the global stage.