Just In: Tamim Iqbal Pulls Out Of ICC T20 World Cup 2021

In what can be called a huge blow to the Bangladesh team, veteran opener Tamim Iqbal has pulled out of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 to be held in the UAE and Oman in October-November, beginning from October 17 onwards.

Tamim Iqbal has not been playing in the shortest format off late and has missed the last 15 matches for Bangladesh in the T20 format, feels it will be unfair to the other openers as they are doing very well constantly especially in his absence. However, the left-handed opener, who captains the Bangladesh team in the ODI format, has said that he has no intentions of retiring from the format.

I’m Not Retiring. I Just Won’t Be Available For This WC: Tamim Iqbal

32-year-old Iqbal, who hails from Chattogram in Bangladesh, has played 64 Tests making 4788 runs, 219 ODIs, making 7666 runs, and 78 T20Is making 1758 runs. He is the only Bangladeshi batsman with a century in all three international formats.

“I’m not retiring. I just won’t be available for this WC. And It’s fair cause the young openers have been playing for the last 15/16 T20Is. I cannot just come in & take their place. It’d be unfair. And I believe they have more to offer than me,” said Tamim Iqbal as per Naifu Kabir, a Bangladesh-based journalist.

However, Tamim Iqbal has stressed the fact that he will not play in the T20 World Cup 2021, but will be available for the team for the future bilateral series.

“To the media, please no phone calls, no WhatsApp messages. I have taken my decision & I’ll stick to it. I always do what I feel is right & this is what I’ve felt this time. I’ll be available for other bilateral T20 series in the future. So see you all soon,” he added.

Bangladesh is not part of the main draw of the tournament and will open their T20 World Cup qualifiers campaign against Scotland on October 17. Bangladesh is pitted against Oman, Papua New Guinea, and Scotland in the initial group stages. Next Bangladesh will take on Oman on October 19 and Papua New Guinea on October 21.

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