Tamim Iqbal’s T20 future: A source of consternation

• Tamim retired from T20 cricket on January 27.
• Tamim Iqbal dismisses the prospect of batting at number four.
• Says Bangladesh may be a good Test team in two or three years.

Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladesh opener, took a shot at the national team management on Sunday for failing to communicate with him about his international future in the T20 format.

Tamim retired from T20 cricket on January 27 and it is unclear whether he will be available for the T20 World Cup, which begins in Australia in October.

“No one gives me an opportunity to explain my T20 strategy.”

“Either you [media] say it or someone else says it [about my T20 future], and let it go on like this because I haven’t been given any opportunity [by the board] to say anything,” Tamim told reporters at a private function in Dhaka on Sunday.

Read More: BCB encourages veteran players about their future plans

“I’ve been playing for so long, I think I deserve it,” he remarked. “What I feel or think people should hear from me,” he added.

“However, either you [media] or someone else (board) gives some sort of impression. And as soon as they say something, I’m speechless,” he added.

Tamim’s allegation that he was not contacted contradicts BCB cricket operations Chief Jalal Yunus’ claims to the media that he was contacted regarding his T20 strategy.

Officials from the BCB have stated that they are attempting to persuade him to reconsider his mind and play in the forthcoming T20 World Cup.

After Tamim’s Test century against Sri Lanka on May 17, Jalal told reporters in the press box at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram that they are waiting for an answer from the left-handed opener about his T20 plans.

“Tamim Iqbal is one of our more experienced players, and he knows his role better than anyone else. We had a discussion with him about this, as you are all aware. He had exclusively briefed you [media] about his strategy, and now we have to say something.”

Read More: BCB asks Mustafizur Rahman to play WI Tests

“After the six months are up, he will officially inform you of his decision, and you will be informed of his plans through him, and I will not be able to comment on it,” according to Jalal.

“We tried for three to four months [to bring him back], and he said he made the decision based on his profession and future, and we fully accept that,” he added, attempting to demonstrate their willingness to bring him back in a shorter format.

Tamim also dismissed the prospect of batting lower in the order, despite batting coach Jamie Siddons recently stating that he might be an excellent number four and that they should consider it if they can find a suitable substitute at the top.

“How do you feel about it? Should I bat at number four or open?” Tamim wondered.

“I don’t see any reason why I should bat at number four. I’ve been in business for 17 years and have done quite well. So there’s no way (my hitting at four) is going to work,” he remarked.

Tamim went on to say that new Test captain Shakib al Hasan should be given plenty of opportunity to establish himself as a leader.

Read More: Tamim returns in South Africa Test Final

“I’ve played twice under his command, once before 2011 and again when he did, and it’s hardly rocket science.”

“We all know he had a great cricketing brain, and I’m sure captaining the Test team is difficult given how few results go our way in this format,” Tamim remarked.

“But, as I always said when I was captain, you have to give me a lot of time,’ and Shakib is no exception. You must give him plenty of time, and you must not be impatient, because this is one format in which we are lacking.”

“With his leadership and everything, as well as support from all of us, we may be a good Test team in two or three years,” he concluded.