Tamim Iqbal Requests For A Break From Cricket

Bangladesh veteran opener Tamim Iqbal has requested Bangladesh Cricket Board for a break from all the three formats of the game. The southpaw opener has been under the pump after a mundane World Cup campaign as he could only manage 235 runs in the tournament at an average of 29.38 and strike rate of 71.65. In fact, Tamim also had a poor 2015 World Cup as he had scored only 154 runs in six innings.

Furthermore, Iqbal could not deliver the goods in the bilateral series against Sri Lanka. Tamim was picked as the captain of the side in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza. However, Bangladesh succumbed to an ignominious defeat of 3-0 in the series.

It has been tough last three months for Tamim Iqbal.

The left-hander had a forgettable series as he could only manage 21 runs in the three innings of the bilateral series. Thus, Iqbal was criticized heavily for his ordinary performances in the last three months.

Subsequently, Tamim Iqbal has asked for some time off the game. As per the reports in ESPN Cricinfo, Iqbal’s request is granted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

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Consequently, he will go on to miss the one-off Test match against Afghanistan and also the T20I series. This would be the first time when the opener will not play for the team when he is not having any injury issues.

Tamim will now return to International action for the series against India. Bangladesh will tour India in November as the Tigers will play three T20Is and two Test matches against the hosts. Hence, the southpaw will like to make a solid comeback after the much-needed break.

Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan had also asked for a break after the World Cup and did not take part in the series against Sri Lanka. In fact, the linchpin all-rounder had also taken a break for the series against South Africa in 2017.