Matter of Tamim’s captaincy to be discussed: BCB

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is not entirely certain whether Tamim Iqbal will return to the team as the captain of the ODI side, the board's chairman of the cricket operations committee Jalal Yunus hinted today.  

According to Jalal, Tamim, who made a U-turn on his international retirement recently, will discuss the matter of captaincy once he returns from the UK following his treatment. 

"Let him return first as we are discussing [the matter of captaincy] with him. There is an issue regarding his fitness, and he said that, first, he will come back [to the country] and then discuss the matter," Jalal told the media after Bangladesh's seven-wicket victory in the final ODI against Afghanistan in Chattogram today. 

Tamim has been struggling with a recurring back injury. He even missed out on the lone Test against Afghanistan last month. The left-hander played the first ODI against Afghanistan despite not being a hundred per cent fit. 

"Tamim is going to Dubai and from there he might fly to the UK on July 25 or 26. He has appointments in two medical centers in the UK where the doctors will see him. He will update us about his condition from time to time. We will soon announce a primary squad of 25-26 members [for the upcoming Asia Cup] which is the reason we need to see his medical fitness and will then determine when he would join," Jalal added.

The cricketers will go for a break till July 30 after the upcoming two-match T20I series against Afghanistan with the board planning to arrange a conditioning camp after the break.

Tamim shocked the entire nation when he announced his retirement from international cricket after the first ODI which Bangladesh lost by 17 runs [DLS] last week. However, just a day later, the cricketer withdrew his decision after meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.