Experienced Bangladesh players Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan have had a tumultuous relationship in recent times which has negatively affected their team. While Tamim has been excluded from the 15-member Bangladesh squad for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023, Shakib has slammed the opening batter giving Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s example.
After his exclusion, Tamim Iqbal wrote on Facebook that he was not dropped due to fitness and was completely fit enough to play in the World Cup. He also mentioned that a top board official asked him to bat down the order if he wants to play in the marquee tournament.
Shakib Al Hasan accuses Tamim Iqbal of childish behavior
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan came up with a hard-hitting reply after Tamim’s claims. On September 27, he accused his fellow teammate of childish behavior while speaking to Dhaka-based TV channel T-Sports in an interview.
“I am sure someone who is authorized had said this (to Tamim). I am sure whoever has said it, he thought of the team. A lot of things go into building a combination for a match. So if someone has said this to him, was it wrong? Or we can’t make such a proposal? I am just going to tell someone that you can do whatever you want. Is the team first or the individual?” Shakib told T-Sports.
“Someone like Rohit Sharma built his career from No. 7 to opener, scored 10,000-plus runs. If he sometimes bats at No 3 or 4, would it be a big problem? It is totally childish. It is my bat, I will play. No one else can play,” he gave Rohit Sharma’s example.
A player should bat at any position for the team: Shakib Al Hasan
“A player should bat at any position for the team. Team first. It doesn’t make any difference if you have made 100 or 200, and the team loses. What can you do with personal achievement? You want to make a name for yourself?” the Bangladesh skipper further added.
It’s worth noting that Tamim Iqbal was the captain of the Bangladesh team in the ODI series against Afghanistan in July. He then missed the complete Asia Cup 2023 tournament owing to a back injury.
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The opening batter was then selected for the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand. After the second ODI, Tamim stated that he is still feeling the effect of the back injury, and he might not be able to feature in all the World Cup 2023 matches after which he was excluded from the 15-member Bangladesh squad.