Tamim Iqbal takes a six-month break from T20Is, unlikely to feature in T20 World Cup 2022

Veteran Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has made himself unavailable for T20Is for the next six months. This decision effectively rules him out of the T20 World Cup 2022, which is scheduled to take place in Australia in October-November. It must be noted that the southpaw didn’t feature in the last year’s T20 competition either, saying it would be unfair for players, who have been grinding hard in the format.

Meanwhile, Tamim has said that he might reconsider his decision if the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) asks him again before the World Cup, although he believes it won’t be required. Meanwhile, top BCB officials including President Nazmul Hassan insisted the 32-year-old to not to take the decision.

However, the batter, who has been mostly away from T20Is since the last couple of years, took the call to focus on ODIs and Tests. The veteran batter stated the same in a press conference in Chattogram on Thursday (January 27).

BCB officials want me to continue T20Is till the 2022 World Cup: Tamim Iqbal

“There have been discussions about my T20I future,” Tamim said. “In the last few days, I have been doing meetings with the BCB president (Nazmul Hassan) and Jalal (Yunus) bhai and Kazi Inam (Ahmed). They wanted me to continue T20Is till the World Cup (this year). I had a different sort of thinking. I will not be considering T20Is for the next six months,” Tamim told media.

“My full focus will be on Tests and ODIs. We are preparing for the World Test Championship and qualification for the 2023 World Cup. I will not be thinking about T20Is in the next six months. I hope that those playing will do so well, that the team won’t need me in T20Is. But if God forbid the team or cricket board needs me, and I am ready, I will possibly think about it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Iqbal’s last T20I appearance was recorded against Zimbabwe in March 2020, after which he missed the rest of the three-match series due to a knee injury. With 1701 in 74 T20Is, the southpaw is also the country’s third-highest run-scorer in the format after Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan. However, these numbers are unlikely to enhance.