No Tamim Iqbal as Bangladesh announces 15-man squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Bangladesh will play Afghanistan on October 7 in Dharamshala in their World Cup opener.

Tamim Iqbal, the most experienced ODI batter in Bangladesh cricket history, has been omitted from their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 squad which got announced on September 26, 2023. This came as Tamim Iqbal’s battle with a chronic back injury continued.

After a protracted tale involving a back ailment, a retirement u-turn, and stepping down as captain, the seasoned batter made a comeback against the New Zealand series.

Tamim was unable to bat in the first game of the series against New Zealand because the match was called off, but he made 44 in the second ODI despite admitting after the game that his back continued to bother him.

Tamim had said he was confident in recovering fully before the World Cup, but it is believed that he told the team that he would have to manage his fitness during the tournament and that he might not be available for the entire competition.

BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin explained the exclusion saying, "We are all aware that Tamim Iqbal is a long-term injury concern. He returned for the New Zealand series. After the first match, there was a bit of a complain. We thought of his injury concern when not taking him in the squad. We have spoken to all concerned, before taking this decision. We discussed it with Tamim. We can't tell you what we spoke about. We discussed it with the team management, and didn't want to take a risk in a long World Cup campaign. It is a very important event."

Tamim Iqbal has scored 8357 runs in 243 ODIs for Bangladesh and has scored 14 centuries with a best of 158 at an average of 36.65. However, he is not the only player to miss out on a World Cup berth, as pacer Ebadot Hossain failed to recover in time for the World Cup after undergoing knee surgery.

Shakib Al Hasan to continue leading the side with Najmul Hossain Shanto as his deputy

Bangladesh’s batting features the experience of Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton, and Shakib. The squad also features the likes of Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, and Mahmudullah in the middle order.

Spin continues to remain the team’s strong point, featuring an exceptional set of finger spinners in Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, and Mahedi Hasan. The pace department includes Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan.

Bangladesh ICC World Cup 2023 squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Vc), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzid Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Mahmudullah