Bangladesh’s ODI captain Tamim Iqbal has decided to skip the upcoming three T20Is against New Zealand due to personal reasons. Bangladesh and New Zealand are slated to play three ODIs, followed by a 3-T20I series beginning March 20.

Tamim, 31, has said that he had informed head coach Russell Domingo and the selection committee headed by Minhajul Abedin about his decision earlier.

“Before coming to New Zealand, I had informed the head coach and chief selector that I won't be available for the T20I series. It is for personal reasons. My best wishes are with the team. When the coach said that we have an opportunity to do well here, it includes the T20Is as well,” Tamim said.

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The Bangladesh selectors haven't named the T20I squad yet - which is captained by Mahmudullah - as they first play the ODI series until March 26, followed by the three T20Is on March 28, 30, and April 1.

Tamim has played a total of 78 T20Is, scoring 1758 runs with one century and 7 fifties with the best score of 103*.

The three-match T20I series against New Zealand will be their first set of matches to gear up for this year's T20 World Cup in India. Bangladesh also has T20I series slated against Zimbabwe, Australia, England, and New Zealand later in the year.

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)