DHAKA: Tamim Iqbal stepped down on Thursday as captain of Bangladesh’s One-day International side and pulled his name out of the Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in August and September.

The 34-year-old announced his decision citing an injury problem after holding a meeting with senior officials within the Bangladesh Cricket Board in Dhaka a month after his retirement U-turn from international cricket.

“I have informed them (the BCB officials) that from today I am stepping down as the Bangladesh ODI team captain. I have explained the reason. Injury is an issue,” Tamim told. “I have always thought about the team first. For the betterment of the team (I thought) I should step down as captain and concentrate as a player.”

Tamim added that he had also informed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of his decision, and she had acknowledged his dilemma.

Tamim retired from all forms of international cricket in July during the recent home series, only to withdraw his decision a day later at the request of Hasina.

BCB’s cricket operation chief Jalal Yunus told reporters Thursday that Tamim’s lower disc injury had not fully healed.

“Doctors suggested it would not be possible for him to play in the Asia Cup. He will be available for the New Zealand series and the World Cup. He will be given all kinds of cooperation to recover from the injury,” Jalal said.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2023