Tamim Iqbal left out of Bangladesh’s World Cup squad

Bangladesh have left out ‘partially fit’ Tamim Iqbal in their 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. The experienced campaigner made a comeback in the New Zealand series after a haphazard turn of events involving a back injury, a retirement U-turn and stepping down as captain.

Bangladesh squad for 2023 World Cup: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

In July this year, Tamim Iqbal has come out of retirement a day after announcing it in an emotionally charged press conference. Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, persuaded him into taking a U-turn on his decision to bid international cricket adieu.

Tamim’s retirement had come as a bolt out of the blue months before the 2023 World Cup in India but came on the heels of his face-off with the management. Nazmul Hasan was critical of the southpaw admitting in a press conference that he wasn’t fully fit for the opening ODI against Afghanistan but will still take the field.

Once Tamim announced that he’s played his last international game, Bangladesh Cricket Board summoned an emergency meeting and appointed Litton Das as the interim captain for the last two ODIs against Afghanistan. Nazmul, addressing the media late in the night, publicly requested Tamim to reconsider his “emotional” and “hasty” decision.