Hasan Mahmud Opens Up On Tamim Iqbal-Shakib Al Hasan Controversy, Reveals Bangladesh's Dressing Room Environment

Just ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023, Bangladesh cricket has been rocked by a huge controversy. Two of their greatest cricketers – Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal – are in the news for all the wrong reasons after the latter failed to make the cut for the World Cup.

Despite returning to action in the recently concluded series against New Zealand, Tamim Iqbal, who is Bangladesh’s all-time leading run-scorer, failed to find a place in the World Cup squad. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cited injury as the reason behind Tamim Iqbal’s omission.

However, the opener quickly hit back at the board and said that he would have recovered in time for the tournament. Things then took a turn for the worse when captain Shakib Al Hasan publicly slammed Tamim Iqbal for his ‘childish’ behavior and justified his omission from the squad.

Such a huge controversy and fallout between two superstars can easily derail a team’s campaign in a highly competitive tournament like the World Cup. However, Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud has stated that the controversy won’t impact the team much during the competition.

“I think we don’t think much about what goes out or comes in from outside of the team. We just follow our routine and do our practice sessions to the best of our abilities for better performances. From my side I didn’t think much about it because I am here to play my role, that’s all,” Hasan Mahmud told the Times of India.

Hasan Mahmud on bowling with Taskin and Mustafizur:

Speaking further, Hasan Mahmud also expressed his excitement about the prospect of sharing the new ball with experienced partners like Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. He made his ODI debut in 2021 and has played 18 ODIs so far. The pacer is all set to play in the World Cup for the first time.

“We have been doing well as a pace bowling unit over the past one year or so. Taskin and Mustafiz have done well for our country. Mustafiz has played a lot of IPL games so he has vast experience of playing in India. As a junior, new guy, it’s quite impressive with them. So I will try to do my best in whatever chances I get this World Cup,” Hasan Mahmud said.