Former skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has slammed the Bangladesh team management for not being able to handle Tamim Iqbal’s case efficiently prior to the World Cup 2023.
When Bangladesh unveiled their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on Tuesday (September 26), Tamim’s name was missing from it, much to the surprise of the fans and experts alike.
A day later, the veteran opener claimed that he was asked to bat in the lower middle-order by a top BCB official, which prompted him to pull out of the World Cup.
Reacting to the development, Mortaza said skipper Shakib Al Hasan and the Bangladesh team management should have contacted Tamim to discuss on his batting position and not any BCB official.
“As the captain, Shakib could have messaged Tamim or spoken for a minute, saying, 'I have this plan, I'll discuss it with you later.' I think that would have resolved the entire issue here," Mashrafe said in a video posted on his official Facebook page.
“According to my cricket knowledge, this instruction of batting in the middle order or skipping the first game should have come from coach, captain or a selector who will go with the team. Not from any BCB official. They could have said it after announcing the squad or two days before the first game. I don’t understand the reason behind telling this to Tamim before announcing the squad,” he added.
“After Tamim announced retirement, the issue went even to the prime minister. She said Tamim to play the World Cup and that’s why Tamim agreed to it. I don’t think any further discussion was needed for this especially from any BCB official. All these conversation with Tamim should have come after announcing the squad,” Mashrafe further stated.
After Tamim Iqbal’s revelation, Shakib slammed the left-handed opener for being selfish and not thinking about the team.
"You are not thinking about the team at all. People don't understand these things. Why was the proposal given to him? It was for the team. What is wrong with that? You are a team man when you agree to such a proposal. Unless you are thinking along those lines, you are not a team man. You are playing for individual records, success, fame, and name. Not for the team,” Shakib told Dhaka-based TV channel T-Sports.
Bangladesh will open their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Dharamsala on October 7.
Bangladesh's World Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (vc), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tawhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mahmudullah Riyad
