Opener Tamim Iqbal suffered an injury today while batting at the net in his bid to come back to the cricket with the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). A pacy delivery of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed hit on his left index finger as he was batting at the nets adjacent to the indoor facilities of the Sher-e- Bangla National Cricket Stadium. He left the net after the injury and received an initial treatment.   He was then seen leaving the indoor facilities with bandaged finger, which appeared to leave his participation in BPL in limbo. No official statement has come regarding the state of his injury as of now. Tamim last played an international game on September 26, 2023, during New Zealand's ODI tour of Bangladesh. He then missed the ICC Cricket World Cup, two-match Test series against New Zealand at home and away series in New Zealand due to his recurring back injury.   Tamim will return to cricket on January 20, when his side Fortune Barishal take on Rangpur Riders in its first game of the BPL. However after the BPL, Tamim will talk to BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon as he wants to take a decision on his international career.

Opener Tamim Iqbal has requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to exclude him from the board's central contract list, further refueling the rumour that he wants to end his International career. Tamim has earlier retired from the International cricket but reversed the decision a day later after the intervention of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However he skipped several series of Bangladesh then including the World Cup. "He said he has his own plan and therefore he requested us not to include him in the central contract list," BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Younus said here today. "He is supposed to meet the BCB president after the national election to decide the next course of action. Till then we have to wait." A controversy was created when Tamim said in a video post from his verified facebook account he is annoyed by the dirty game which was key in skipping the World Cup. He didn't mention who played the dirty game but captain Shakib Al Hasan lashed out at him in an interview with a private TV channel some hours after his video post. Recently Tamim met BCB president in person for the first time after the World Cup. Papon later informed that Tamim had contacted him to disclose many internal matters of the team which the BCB president wasn't aware of. The BCB chief a decision will be made in this regard after he talked to all parties. "I want to know the root of the problem and so I have to discuss with all parties. I will speak with everyone, I will learn about everything then I will take the decision myself," Papon said. However the board will finalize the central contract list by December 31 after which it will be sent to BCB president for his approval, Younus said. "The central contract list will be prepared by December 31 after which the president will see it. As for Tamim's case, we'll wait since he has his own plan. He will let us know about his decision after discussing with BCB president."   Source: BSS

Finally, Tamim Iqbal has reversed his retirement decision after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's request and will return to international cricket.  He will continue to play cricket after one-and-a-half-month vacation. Tamim has reversed his deceision after a meeting with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that lasted for a few hours.  On Friday, July 7, Tamim Iqbal returned from Chattogram to Dhaka in the morning.  After that, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called Tamim Iqbal to Ganabhaban on Friday afternoon.  At that time, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the former captain of Bangladesh cricket team, accompanied Tamim. Ayesha Siddiqa, Tamim Iqbal's better half, was also present there. When leaving Ganabhaban, Tamim told the media, "The Honorable Prime Minister invited me to her residence for lunch today. We had a long chat. She has instructed me to return to the international cricket." In his verified social media handle, Tamim Iqbal also shared a picture with prime minister Sheikh Hasina and captioned: "Can't say no to the honourable prime minister."

Tamim Iqbal bids an emotional farewell to the international cricket. He revealed this information at a press conference held at Hotel Tower Inn in Chattogram.  On Thursday, July 06, Tamim Iqbal announced  his retirement from international cricket through a press conference.  Tamim said, "From this moment, I am retiring from international cricket." At the time of his retirement, Tamim expressed gratitude to the coaches, BCB officials, and supporters for their continuous support throughout his 16-year-long career.  He said, "Throughout the long journey of my international cricket career, all the coaches, BCB officials, my family, and those who stood by me have supported me in various ways, shown trust, and I express my gratitude to all the devoted fans and supporters of Bangladesh cricket.  I have always tried my best to contribute and sacrifice everything for the country's sake." With a choked voice, Tamim further stated at the press conference, "I have always said that I play cricket to fulfill my father's dreams. I don't know how proud I have made him in these 16 years."

Tamim Iqbal, country's best opener achieved another milestone. Today's BPL match against Chattogram Challengers Tamim achieves this milestone. Before today's match, Tamim had 6995 runs in total 241 innings. He entered the 7 thousand runs club by scoring just 5 runs against Challengers.  This left-handed batsman scored 1 thousand 758 runs in total 78 matches in international T20.

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal said he is happy to be back to the field although only for practice after a long gap of five months. Along with Tamim, all the national team players are busy in individual training programme which started before the Eid.  Tamim could not participate due to a stomachache. He went to London to see a doctor. Fortunately, the pain was not something serious. Before joining the individual training programme, Tamim was in quarantine for 14 days since he came back from London.  “The last three-four months were tough for us. Yes, we were with the family but there was a mental pressure. We couldn’t help but remain stuck at home. It’s good that we finally got back to what we love most - the game of cricket. This is very good for us,” Tamim told the media on Monday.  “I was afraid of my batting because I came to practice after a gap of four-five months. But surprisingly, it wasn’t that bad today. My batting is in good shape as well as my fitness. Still, it’s different from practising at home and outdoor under the sun. I think it’ll take another week to adapt to the new normal. We know when we’re going to play international cricket, so everyone is aware and preparing accordingly,” Tamim said. Bangladesh played their last international game in March this year. After that, all cricketing activities were put on hold in the country. Tigers’ Pakistan tour for a Test and ODI was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, home series against Australia and New Zealand and away series against Ireland and Sri Lanka have also been adjourned.  Some of the cricketers started individual training programme before the Eid. More cricketers joined it after Eid holidays.  Now, the Tigers are preparing for a tour of Sri Lanka which was originally scheduled to be played in July-August. Both the boards agreed to play the series in October. Bangladesh will fly for the island nation in the last week of September.  Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal has been named World Food Programme’s National Goodwill Ambassador in Bangladesh. WFP confirmed Tamim’s appointment on June 1 through a press release. “I am honored to be named as National Goodwill Ambassador of WFP - the United Nations agency that fights hunger worldwide, including in my own country Bangladesh,” Tamim was quoted as saying in the release. “Although Bangladesh has made impressive economic growth in recent years, poverty is still rampant, especially in rural parts of the country. For many, the current COVID-19 crisis is making their lives much more challenging. I hope to do my part to help WFP fight hunger and restore hope for families and communities that need our support,” he said. As the Goodwill Ambassador Tamim will work to raise awareness about WFP programs in Bangladesh which cover 64 districts across the country through its school feeding, nutrition, livelihoods, and refugee operations in Cox’s Bazar. “As an accomplished athlete, beloved by many both inside and outside Bangladesh, Tamim brings with him not only his popularity and reach, but his incredible work ethic, compassion and humanitarian spirit. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him joining our WFP family,” As Country Representative and Director for WFP Bangladesh, Richard Ragan, said. Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday announced Tamim Iqbal as the new ODI captain of Bangladesh cricket team. "Tamim has been selected as the new ODI captain. He’ll be leading Bangladesh in the coming days," BCB president Nazmul Hassan told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium after a meeting of the board. Tamim replaced Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who stepped down as Bangladesh's ODI captain in the 3rd and last ODI match against Zimbabwe in the series. Mashrafe led the Tigers since 2014, taking over from Mushfiqur Rahim. Tamim, the left-handed opener, led the Tigers earlier. But this is his first appointment as the full-time captain. He will be leading the Tigers as per the latest development. Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh stalwart Tamim Iqbal struck a record-breaking 300 in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Along the process, Tamim joined Raqibul Hasan in the list of hitting 300 in the first-class cricket as Bangladeshi batsman. Tamim is now the fastest batsman to reach a first-class 300 for Bangladesh. Raqibul struck the score as a Bangladeshi batsman back in 2006-2007 season in the National Cricket League for Barishal Division against Sylhet Division. He was not-out for 313 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. Tamim completed his first triple ton off 407 balls with 40 fours. The southpaw remained not-out for 334 off 426 balls with 42 fours and three sixes when his team Islami Bank East Zone declared for 555 for two in 139.5 overs. Yasir Ali also remained unbeaten for 62 off 172 deliveries. Earlier, Walton Central Zone lost the toss and batted first and posted 213 runs for all in 75.1 overs, featuring a fifty of the opener Saif Hassan. Left-arm national spinner Taijul Islam bagged five wickets for 58 runs for Islami Bank East Zone. Source: UNB AH

Tamim Iqbal could not prove him in the world cup. After returning from England during his Sri Lanka tour he failed to flourish. There was a rumor that he will not be available in some matches of India tour. But on Saturday he has withdrawn himself from the entire tour. A source of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the matter. It was said, Tamim has withdrawn himself due to personal reason. Tamim’s wife Ayesha Iqbal is pregnant at the moment. They are expecting their second baby within few days. In this period he wants to accompany his wife and for that he sought leave. Recently a photograph of Tamim-Ayesha couple went into viral on social media along with their son Arham Iqbal. Many greeted them after sharing the photo. Tamim tied the knot with Ayesha in January of 2013. In February of 2016 their first baby Arham was born. AH