Tamim steps down as Bangladesh ODI captain

Bangladesh National Cricket Team opener Tamim Iqbal has finally decided to step down as the captain of the Bangladesh ODI team. For taking his revised decision he will miss the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to take place later this month in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Regarding his decision Nazmul Hasan, the board president, during a press conference held in Gulshan on Thursday afternoon said, “Tamim decided to step down as the captain.” 

The press conference, which was supposed to commence at around 8 pm at the board president's residence, faced a delay of one hour, adding to the drama of the day in Bangladeshi cricket. The cricketing fraternity of the country anxiously awaited Tamim's fate with the Bangladesh team throughout the entire day.

Nazmul added: "Tamim took this decision keeping the team's best interests in mind. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation for his injury and wants to come back after feeling fully fit. We are expecting him to be ready ahead of the New Zealand series at home."

But the board is yet to announce the next captain for the ODI team. Nazmul said they would talk with the board and players before appointing the new captain.

Jalal Yunus, the chairman of the cricket operation committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), said that Tamim would be unable to practise with full intensity until August 20. Consequently, he will miss the Asia Cup, as the Bangladesh team is scheduled to leave for the tournament on August 26.

Before the dramatic press conference, Tamim had a meeting with the board president, members of the medical team of the board, and the board president himself.

Reported that, several issues were discussed during the meeting, including  whether Tamim wanted to continue as captain, whether he had a good understanding with the head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, and what his plan was to manage his injuries.

During throwing the decision he said, "My journey as the captain of the Bangladesh ODI team was fantastic, the results speak for themselves. Now it would be very selfish of me to continue as the captain."

Earlier the Tamim-saga began with his abrupt retirement decision in early July. This decision not only shook the cricketing arena of the country but also caught the attention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had to intervene. After a meeting with her, Tamim revealed that "he couldn't say no to the head of the statet", so that changed his mind, deciding to continue playing for Bangladesh.

Tamim had initially made the retirement decision in response to the board president's harsh criticism, which arose due to his decision to play the first Afghanistan ODI despite not being fully fit during the last home series. Prior to that match in Chattogram, Tamim had stated that he would play to assess the status of his injury.

Statistics revealed, Tamim led the Bangladesh ODI team in 37 matches, emerging victorious in 21 of them. Under his leadership, the Tigers secured a place in the World Cup taking place later this year in India through the World Cup Super League. If Tamim can successfully overcome his injury, he might still be a part of the Bangladesh team as a player in the World Cup.

"I will be sad," Tamim said. "But everyone's dream is the same. When it comes to the team, we have to set aside our individuality. I made this decision thinking about the team's future."