The Tamim paradox continues

Tamim Iqbal’s availability in the T20i format for Bangladesh has become a paradox as he is continuing to play in the franchise tournaments but refusing to play for the national side.

The left-handed opener last played for Bangladesh in a T20i on March 9, 2020, and he also refused to take part in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 saying that he is not willing to deprive any youngster.

On Saturday, The Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan told the media that Tamim is not willing to play T20 for Bangladesh,

“He (Tamim) told me, please don’t force me to return. If you say so, I must return and play. But I don’t really want to play in this (T20) format”, he told the reporters after the match between Minister Dhaka and Chattogram Challengers in the BPL at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

“I talked to him over the telephone. In fact, I told him to come back to the T20 team. Why would you leave? You are our best opener. Of course, you should come and play”, Nazmul told the media.

Former cricketer and BCB director Khaled Mahmud also feels that Tamim should play in the T20i for Bangladesh and he will take a look at the matter,

“We are inside a bio-secure environment, don’t want to talk over the phone but I want to talk to him directly on this matter. I will meet him tomorrow (Monday), we have a match to play. Will talk after the match”, he said after attending the practice session of Fortune Barishal where he is the coach.

Mahmud is also wondered to hear about Tamim’s such decision, “I am a bit startled after hearing the news. I had a talk with Tamim before going to New Zealand, he said that he will have a word with me after coming back. Before we could have a talk, I found that the board president has said it all”, he told the reporters on Sunday.