(Image Source: AP)
[Saba Sports News] Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has strongly criticized the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for their handling of Tamim Iqbal’s case leading up to the World Cup 2023. Tamim was excluded from the squad due to his refusal to bat in the lower middle order, reportedly influenced by a senior BCB official.
Mashrafe, known for his leadership, believes that the team captain, Shakib Al Hasan, and the team management should have dealt with this issue. He suggested that a simple conversation between Shakib and Tamim could have resolved the matter.
Mashrafe expressed bewilderment that the directive came from the BCB hierarchy rather than cricketing decision-makers like the coach, captain, or selectors. He argued that such decisions should have been communicated after squad announcement or closer to the opening match.
The criticism follows a verbal exchange between Shakib and Tamim, where Shakib called Tamim’s actions “childish” and criticized his inflexibility with his batting role.
As Bangladesh prepares for the World Cup, both on-field challenges and off-field controversies are in the spotlight. The cricketing world awaits how this drama unfolds during the World Cup 2023.