Tamim Iqbal to miss the T20I series against New Zealand

The Bangladesh Cricket team is all set to lock horns against the New Zealand Cricket Team in the three-match One Day series followed by three T20 Internationals, starting from March 20, 2021, at the University Oval in Dunedin. Ahead of the marquee series, Bangladesh has been dealt with a massive blow as it is revealed that Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal will not feature in the shortest format of the game. 

It is learned that Tamim has communicated to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that he won’t be available for the T20I series due to personal reasons and is likely to board the flight back to the country after leading the team in One Day Internationals, that ends on March 26. Notably, this will be Iqbal’s maiden overseas series as the captain of the squad.

The 31-year-old left-handed batsman made the announcement of him missing out on the T20I series while appearing in front of the media in New Zealand. While Tamim didn’t go in deep regarding the reason for him missing the action, he wished the team to do well in the series.

“For some personal reasons, I will not be in the T20 series. But I have good wishes for the team. I hope they will do well,” Tamim said.

Responding to a question from reporters, Tamim further added, “I have talked about this with the head coach before coming to the press conference. I will not play for personal reasons.”

Bangladesh to miss Shakib Al Hasan in the series against New Zealand 

Shakib Al Hasan was exempted from the New Zealand tour as the all-rounder decided to avail the paternity leave to be with his wife during the birth of their child. Bangladesh board has named Mosaddek Hossain Saikat as the potential replacement for the tour.

“Since Shakib is not available, we brought Mosaddek as he is also an all-rounder and an experienced player,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin was quoted as saying.

Here’s the Bangladesh squad

Tamim Iqbal (C), Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed