Tamim Iqbal Urges BCB to Prioritize Bangladesh Cricket Amid T20 World Cup Uncertainty

Tamim Iqbal's Call for Dialogue

In light of the uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh's tour of India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, former captain Tamim Iqbal has emphasized the need for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to prioritize the country's cricketing interests and future. He made these remarks during the trophy unveiling ceremony for the Zia Inter-University Cricket Tournament at the City Club Ground on Thursday.

Concerns Over Player Safety

Currently, the status of Bangladesh's tour to India for the T20 World Cup remains uncertain. The BCB has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold their matches outside of India, citing player safety concerns. This request followed directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to exclude fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 team, a decision made amid reports of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.

Tamim's Perspective on BCB's Decisions

Tamim Iqbal noted that, as he is not part of the BCB, he receives updates through the media and refrains from making comments without complete information. However, he stressed the importance of prioritizing the interests and future of Bangladesh cricket, advocating for resolving issues through dialogue.

Importance of Internal Discussions

According to Tamim, any public comments on sensitive issues should be preceded by internal discussions within the board, as retracting statements can be challenging. He reiterated that the future of Bangladesh cricket is paramount, and since a significant portion of funding comes from the ICC, decisions should focus on what benefits the sport in the country.