‘What has been said in the media and what has happened is…’ – Tamim Iqbal’s ‘shocking’ statement on his exclusion from Bangladesh ODI World Cup 2023 squad

The recent timeline of events with the former Bangladesh skipper and star opener, Tamim Iqbal has been one of the major headlines in the cricketing world. It all started a few months back when he announced his ODI retirement and took it back just a day later. Furthermore, he was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 due to the injury.

Subsequently, he made his comeback in the ODI series against New Zealand. But now, in another shocking line of events, he was overlooked by the selectors, when they picked the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, in India.

“If you relate it to your own life, you can understand it is not a very easy thing.” – Tamim Iqbal

Now, Tamim Iqbal himself has come up with a shocking statement on his exclusion from the ODI World Cup squad. He made some shocking revelations regarding the differences between actual situations and the things that are being told in the media or to journalists.

“What has been said in the media for the past few days and what has happened is completely different. Let me tell you step by step what happened. As you all know I retired, there was a reason. When I withdrew my decision at the Prime Minister’s request, in the next 2 months I struggled a lot to get myself fit,” Tamim Iqbal was quoted as saying by BD Crictime.

“All those who had been with me like the physio, and trainers would agree that there was no session or exercise that they wanted and I didn’t complete. When the game came to a close [New Zealand series] I was not very satisfied mentally. Because of what has happened in the last 4-5 months, if you relate it to your own life, you can understand it is not a very easy thing,” he added later.

Here’s a look at the Bangladesh squad for the ODI World Cup 2023:

Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.