Tamim Iqbal pulls out of ICC T20 World Cup 2021

In a shocking move just ahead of the T20 World Cup, one of the finest T20 openers for Bangladesh, Tamim Iqbal has pulled out off the contest.

Through a video message on Facebook, Tamim was heard quoting that he hasn't played for the last 15 to 20 T20 matches and if he now grabs the spot that was meant for someone else who have been consistently supporting the team in his absence. It is pertinent to note that Tamim Iqbal was the highest run-scorer in the previous edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. 

Despite withdrawing from the World T20, he confirmed that there are no plans of retirement for the southpaw from the game at the moment.

A knee injury compelled him to miss out on the T20 series against Zimbabwe and Australia while he was also dropped for Bangladesh's upcoming New Zealand tour.

He was heard quoting, "I just called board president Papon bhai (Nazmul Hasan) and chief selector Nanno bhai (Minhajul Abedin) few minutes back and said that I don't think I should be playing in the World Cup and I am not available for it. I have taken that decision and I will stick to it. I am not retiring. It is just that I am not available for this World Cup".

He concluded by saying, "I think game-plan in one of the biggest reasons, because I am not playing this format for a long time and second... (knee) injury, but I don't think that is a big problem because I feel I will be okay before the World Cup."

Tamim's last essay was against Zimbabwe by smashing a rollicking century to rise from his own ashes. However, post that, injuries have plagued his career in a significant way and he didn't want to risk his position in the nation team in the long run.