Tamim Iqbal set for comeback with BPL 2024

Tamim Iqbal (Photo Source: Firoz Ahmed)

Tamim Iqbal is set to make a competitive comeback in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). This decision implies the former Bangladesh captain’s exclusion from white-ball series in New Zealand after the two-match home Test series against the Kiwis.

The announcement was made on November 27 during a media briefing at his residence, following a meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan. The discussion revolved around the top-order batter’s future in international cricket. It is worth mentioning that, the 34-year-old had opted out of the recently-concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, citing his reluctance to be part of BCB’s “dirty game“. This decision came amidst his retirement, subsequent return, stepping down as captain, and purportedly rejecting a middle-order role in the team.

“After the World Cup, I felt that there should be a decision about my international future. Throughout my career, I have always kept myself away from indecision. I have always been very open and clear about whatever decision I have taken in my life.

“I was not in the country for quite some time so this meeting [with BCB chief Nazmul Hassan] was due. We held the meeting today because we had to postpone it yesterday too. Today is actually not a great day to do all this. The Test match starts tomorrow. Since we had to do the meeting today, a statement afterwards was always forthcoming, so I apologise that I am doing this the day before the game. It is important for me and the Bangladesh team that there’s no impact of this in the game,” Tamim told the reporters.

I had taken a decision about my future: Tamim Iqbal

Tamim further stated that he has made a decision about his future and engaged in discussions with Bangaldesh board president regarding the same. The 34-year-old revealed that the board president advised him to wait until January, and he plans to resume playing cricket again starting with the BPL.

“I had taken a decision about my future. Everyone knows about it. I had an understanding. I had to communicate with the cricket board officials. I spoke to the board president about a lot of things. We had an open discussion. He shared a lot of things too. I told him what I want to do. The board president told me to stop till January since he is busy with the [national parliamentary] elections. I think I will start playing cricket again from the BPL. After that, you will get a clearer idea about what happened.

“I don’t want to keep things hanging for a few more months. I don’t want to stretch it unnecessarily. After discussing a lot of things with the president and the board, I want to respect their decision and wait till January. I could have told you my plan today, but let me play in the BPL, and then we will have another discussion for sure. He [Nazmul] also said that he will talk to everyone and make some strict decisions. I will wait for it to happen,” he added.