Bangladesh have opted against picking a ‘partially fit’ Tamim Iqbal in their 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. The veteran batter made a comeback against New Zealand series after a protracted saga involving a back injury, a retirement u-turn and stepping down as captain.
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
He could not bat in the series opener against New Zealand as the game was abandoned but made 44 in the second ODI but revealed after the match that he was still experiencing discomfort with his back
“We are all aware that Tamim Iqbal is a long-term injury concern. He returned for the New Zealand series. After the first match, there was a bit of a complain. We thought of his injury concern when not taking him in the squad,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin said.
“We have spoken to all concerned, before taking this decision. We discussed it with Tamim. We can’t tell you what we spoke about. We discussed it with the team management, and didn’t want to take a risk in a long World Cup campaign. It is a very important event.”
Tamim had earlier stated that he was confident of making a full recovery before the World Cup but is understood to have informed the team that his fitness would have to be managed through the World Cup and that he may not be available for the whole tournament.
“You can’t take risk with some injuries. If someone gets injured in the World Cup, it will get the team management into an uncomfortable situation. He played the first two matches, but we had to rest him. He had a bit of pain after the second game. We considered this before taking the decision,” Abedin said.
“Tamim is one of our best players but an injury concern restricts his ability. He had suffered with back pain for a long time so the New Zealand series was a chance to check his fitness. He played the second game fully, but he didn’t play the third match. We discussed it with the medical team, after which we took the decision.”
It was reported that skipper Shakib Al Hasan had reservations regarding taking someone in his World Cup squad who was not fully fit, although chief selector Abedin denied it.
Meanwhile, another of Bangladesh cricket’s veteran Mahmudullah made an 11th hour entry into the squad despite being overlooked for most of the year in the build-up to the marquee event.
“We can check any players and that is our plan. From this planning we checked him in the New Zealand series and seen his fitness. And that is the reason we included him,” Abedin said.
