Tamim Iqbal steps down as ODI Skipper, Ruled out of Asia Cup 2023 with Back Problem

Tamim Iqbal, the veteran Bangladesh batter and ODI captain, has announced his decision to step down from his leadership role due to a recurring back injury. He will also miss the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, which will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 31 to September 2. This is a major blow for the Bangladesh team, which is preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

Background

Tamim Iqbal is one of the most prolific and experienced batters in Bangladesh cricket history. He has played 214 ODIs, scoring 7,568 runs at an average of 36.74 with 14 centuries and 48 half-centuries. He is also the only Bangladesh batter to score a century in all three formats of the game.

Tamim was appointed as the ODI captain in March 2020, after Mashrafe Mortaza stepped down from the role. He led Bangladesh in 21 ODIs, winning 10 and losing 11. His last ODI series as captain was against Afghanistan at home in July 2023, where he shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from the format after the first match. However, he later reversed his decision after meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who persuaded him to continue playing for the country.

Injury and Decision

Tamim has been suffering from an injury in his L4 and L5 (two lowest vertebrae of the lumbar spine) in his back for a long time. He has been taking injections to relieve the pain, but they have not been effective enough. He said that he will not be able to train or play until the end of August, which means he will miss the Asia Cup.

Tamim said that he decided to step down as captain to give the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) enough time to find a suitable replacement for the World Cup. He said that he will focus on his recovery and fitness as a player, and try to give his best whenever he gets an opportunity.

Tamim said that he informed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about his decision, and she understood his situation. He also had discussions with BCB president Nazmul Hassan and cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus at Hassan’s residence regarding his decision.

Impact and Future

Tamim’s decision to step down as captain and miss the Asia Cup will have a significant impact on the Bangladesh team’s performance and morale. Tamim is not only the team’s leading run-scorer, but also a senior and respected figure in the dressing room. His absence will leave a big void in the top order and the leadership group.

The BCB will have to find a new ODI captain who can lead the team in the Asia Cup and the World Cup. The most likely candidates are Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad, who have all captained Bangladesh in different formats before. The BCB will also have to select a replacement opener for Tamim, who can partner with Liton Das or Soumya Sarkar.

Tamim said that he hopes to return to action for the home series against New Zealand in September-October 2023. He said that he wants to play in the World Cup, which is his ultimate goal as a player. He said that he will work hard on his fitness and form, and try to contribute to the team’s success.

Tamim Iqbal’s ODI Career Statistics