Tamim ‘disappointed’ to sit out Pakistan series

After the latest T20 World Cup debacle, Bangladesh are already struggling to regroup as they prepare to face a stern test in their upcoming series against Pakistan, which includes three T20Is and two Tests, later this month.

The ominous phase for the country's cricket seems to be prolonging with Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal now ruled out of the two Tests against Pakistan as his injury to the left thumb resurfaced. "I was desperate to make my return with this series. But I am very disappointed that this happened and now I have to sit out the series against Pakistan," Tamim told The Daily Star yesterday.

The left-hander, who had opted out of the T20 World Cup from which the Tigers crashed out after losing six of their eight clashes, was already unlikely to participate in the T20Is against Pakistan. And now his exclusion from the Test series has come as a major blow for Bangladesh as the Tigers will have to begin their second season of the World Test Championship without the southpaw. 

Tamim had picked up the injury while playing in the Everest Premier League in Nepal last October and was on his way to recovery following around a month of rest.

However, the left-handed opener, who began practising a few days ago as part of his recovery, seemed to have been struggling while playing fast bowlers at the nets. That prompted him to undergo a scan on Sunday which revealed his injury had aggravated.

Bangladesh already have a few injury concerns in the side with all-rounders Mohammad Saifuddin and Shakib Al Hasan, both of whom were ruled out of the T20 World Cup midway, still recovering from a recurring back injury and a hamstring injury, respectively.

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) informed that it will meet regarding the injury issues of the side today.

"There are a number of injury issues in the side. After getting the full injury report from the BCB medical team, we will sit for a meeting tomorrow [Monday]. We can confirm anything only after this meeting," informed BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin to The Daily Star yesterday.

It was, however, learned that Tamim, who last featured for Bangladesh in July this year in an ODI against Zimbabwe, is considering going abroad for further check-up.