The cold war between two of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, might have taken center stage again with reports of fresh differences emerging between the two days ahead of the World Cup.
According to a report in Somoy TV, Tamim informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that he won’t be able to play more than five matches during the World Cup due to injury issues. Shakib is said to have responded by saying that he won’t be part of the ICC event if BCB agrees to Tamim’s demand. He instead wants someone else to be selected.
Having missed the Asia Cup due to a back injury, Tamim, who even quit ODI captaincy, returned to international cricket during the ongoing series against New Zealand. He scored 44 off 58 balls in the second one-dayer in Mirpur on September 23, but said after the game that “there’s still lots of discomfort in my back”.
According to a post on X by Saif Ahmed, social media manager of Bangla Tigers and Rangpur Riders, Shakib was at BCB’s residence last night for a meeting with the president. He claimed in the post while quoting Somoy TV:
“According to their report, Tamim Iqbal informed BCB that if they take him to the World Cup, they have to consider the fact that he is not fully fit and Tamim also informed that he won’t be able to play more than 5 matches in this World Cup.”
“After hearing this, ODI captain Shakib Al Hasan said he can’t accept that and even said he himself will not play the World Cup if Tamim goes to the World Cup and play only 5 games. He wants other player to play instead,” the post added.
