'I Should Step Down as Captain...': Bangladesh ODI Captain's Shocking Decision, Pulls out of Asia Cup

Veteran batter Tamim Iqbal stepped down as Bangladesh’s ODI captain on Thursday and also pulled his name out of the Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, starting August 31. The 34-year-old cited an injury problem after holding a meeting with senior officials of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Dhaka, a month after revoking his retirement from international cricket.

“I have informed them (the BCB officials) that from today I am stepping down as the Bangladesh ODI team captain. I have explained the reason. Injury is an issue,” Tamim told reporters after the meeting.

“I have always thought about the team first. For the betterment of the team (I thought) I should step down as captain and concentrate as a player, and try to give my best whenever the opportunity comes,” Tamim said.

Tamim added that he had also informed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of his decision, and she had acknowledged his dilemma.

Meanwhile, BCB’s cricket operation chief Jalal Yunus told reporters Thursday that Tamim’s lower disc injury had not fully healed.

“Doctors suggested it would not be possible for him to play in the Asia Cup. He will be available for the New Zealand series and the World Cup. He will be given all kinds of cooperation to recover from the injury,” Jalal said.

The BCB official said a new ODI captain will be named in due course.

Tamim retired from all forms of international cricket in July during the recent home series, only to withdraw his decision a day later at the request of Hasina.

The veteran opener broke down in tears while announcing his international retirement after leading his side to a 17-run defeat in the first of a three-match one-day series against Afghanistan.

His temporary retirement followed BCB president Nazmul Hassan’s public criticism of Tamim after he played a match against Afghanistan despite admitting he was not 100 per cent fit.

Hasina invited Tamim and Nazmul to her residence the next day, prompting the cricketer to change his mind.

Tamim, however, did not play the remaining two ODIs against Afghanistan and took a six-week break to undergo injury rehab. Opening batsman Liton Das led Bangladesh in the remaining Afghanistan ODIs after Tamim’s withdrawal from the series.

(With AFP Inputs)