Bangladesh cricket received a promising boost as former ODI captain Tamim Iqbal returned to the batting nets after undergoing a rehabilitation period aimed at addressing his back injury. In a short but significant net session held at the BCB academy premises on August 20, Tamim’s return to practice was a major highlight, providing a sigh of relief for fans and the cricketing community.
The veteran batter’s sudden decision to retire from international cricket on July 6 took the cricket world by surprise. However, his retirement was short-lived, as intervention from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led him to reverse his decision shortly after. Following this reversal, Tamim flew to England to receive multiple injections for his damaged disc, a concern that had forced him to miss the lone Test against Afghanistan.
Upon returning to Bangladesh on July 31, the 34-year-old commenced his rehabilitation journey. This period also marked his decision to step down as ODI captain due to uncertainties surrounding his back condition. As a result, he opted not to participate in the forthcoming Asia Cup, focusing on a full recovery for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, which is also a precursor to the World Cup.
During his net session, Tamim displayed resilience as he played shots mostly off the front foot, occasionally attempting shots off the back foot. His comfort while driving and cutting short balls suggested positive progress in his recovery. He engaged in conversations with the medical team, including physio Bayzidul Islam and Kiron Thoms, the newly appointed head of the board’s rehabilitation center.
Notably, Tamim’s movements during stretching and bending exercises indicated improvement in his back condition. Jalal Yunus, the chairman of BCB’s cricket operations, expressed relief and optimism about Tamim’s progress. Yunus explained that the goal was for Tamim to regain his form and physical fitness gradually.
“We all want to see Tamim get back his old form and everyone is supporting him, not only the cricket operations team but our board president [Nazmul Hasan] is also calling and talking to the physio and the head coach and constantly getting updated about him,” Yunus stated, emphasizing the collective effort behind Tamim’s recovery.
Addressing recent reports of potential misunderstandings between Tamim and the team management, Jalal Yunus dismissed the concerns as minor and assured that any issues would be resolved promptly. The focus remains on Tamim’s well-being and successful return to the national team, with hopes high for his full recovery and contributions in the upcoming matches.
As Bangladesh prepares for the Asia Cup 2023, Tamim’s progress marks a positive step for the team, and fans eagerly await his return to the cricket field, ready to witness his batting prowess once again.