'It's a total lie' - BCB president Nazmul Hasan refutes Tamim Iqbal's claims about board not having a conversation about his T20I future

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan has refuted senior batter Tamim Iqbal’s claims that the board did not have a conversation regarding his future in the T20I format. The left-handed batter recently claimed that he is unsure of his T20I career.

BCB chief has revealed that the left-handed batter had written a letter to the board a few months back, implying that he is not ready for the shortest format of international cricket, despite the board members including Nazmul trying to convince him. The 2022 T20 World Cup is scheduled to start in October this year and Bangladesh could use the services of their veteran batter, especially at the top order.

Tamim Iqbal took a six-month break from T20Is in January

Tamim Iqbal had taken a six-month break on January 27. However, the senior batter recently took a jibe at the management committee for not talking to the batter regarding his future in the 20-over format. ‘Responding to the claims, Nazmul revealed that he called the southpaw to his home at least four times to discuss his future.

“It’s a total lie (that we have not spoken with him regarding his T20). I have called him to my house and requested him (to play T20Is) at least four times. Other members of the board also spoke with him and he said that he will not play and now look what he is saying,” said BCB President Nazmul Hasan.

”He (Tamim) has given in writing that he will not play despite several attempts being made to convince him (to change his mind). So, I don’t understand where the confusion is. What I want to say is that let him say what he wants to say and later we will provide (proof) what we have in our hands. That six months is gone (and the letter is not regarding it),” he added.

The BCB chief also added that he will more than happy to include Tamim Iqbal in the T20I squad. Talking about his numbers in T20I format, he has played 78 matches and scored 1758 runs.