Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mashrafe Mortaza has expressed concerns about the handling of Tamim Iqbal’s situation ahead of the World Cup 2023. Mortaza’s remarks come in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding Tamim Iqbal’s exclusion from the World Cup squad, related to his preferred batting position.
Tamim Iqbal, a prominent left-handed batsman, was left out of Bangladesh’s World Cup 2023 squad after reportedly refusing to bat in the lower middle-order. According to Tamim, a senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official made the request for him to change his batting position.
Mashrafe Mortaza, who captained the Bangladesh national cricket team in the 2019 World Cup, criticized the BCB’s handling of the matter. He suggested that captain Shakib Al Hasan and the team management should have directly contacted Tamim to discuss his batting position, rather than involving a BCB official.
In his critique, Mortaza stated, “As the captain, Shakib could have messaged Tamim or spoken for a minute, saying, ‘I have this plan, I’ll discuss it with you later.’ I think that would have resolved the entire issue here.”
Mortaza further emphasized that decisions regarding batting positions or squad selections should typically come from the coach, captain, or a selector closely associated with the team. He questioned the timing of the request made to Tamim and indicated that such discussions should have taken place after announcing the final squad or shortly before the first game of the tournament.
The former captain also highlighted the involvement of high-ranking officials in the matter, including discussions with the Prime Minister after Tamim’s initial retirement announcement. Mortaza believed that the decision-making process should have been more straightforward, without the need for further intervention by BCB officials.
The controversy surrounding Tamim Iqbal’s exclusion and his preferred batting position has been a major talking point in Bangladesh cricket. With the World Cup approaching, Mortaza’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of effective communication and conflict resolution within the team. As Bangladesh continues its preparations for the tournament, addressing these issues will be crucial for the team’s success on the global stage.