Tamim Iqbal yet to decide on national team return, asks selectors for more time

The saga surrounding Tamim Iqbal's return to the national team—and his potential inclusion in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy—has taken another frustrating turn.

Despite repeated efforts by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to resolve the matter, the veteran opener has requested more time to make up his mind, leaving the board and fans in a state of uncertainty.

With the Champions Trophy squad announcement deadline fast approaching, the BCB has gone out of its way to accommodate Tamim's indecisiveness. Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, along with selectors Abdur Razzak and Hannan Sarkar, met Tamim in Sylhet on Wednesday in an attempt to gain clarity. Yet, despite two rounds of discussions—one of which included senior players Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah Riyad—no definitive resolution was reached.

Tamim's request for additional time to decide on his international future has raised eyebrows, especially given the stakes involved. The Champions Trophy is a major ICC event, and the team's preparations hinge on knowing which players will be available. Tamim's prolonged indecision appears not only inconsiderate to the selectors but also unfair to fans who expect commitment from their star players.

Gazi Ashraf acknowledged the selectors' efforts to convince Tamim but admitted that they were met with hesitation. "We've had open discussions about cricket and the national team, but such decisions take time. Tamim has asked for a few more days," he said. While the selectors have portrayed patience, this delay could disrupt the BCB's planning for the high-profile tournament.

Tamim's international career has been in limbo for years. Since his short-lived retirement in July 2023, the opener has played only two ODIs. His fitness and form remain questionable, despite decent performances in domestic cricket. In the ongoing BPL, he has managed 121 runs in four matches for Fortune Barishal, but his international readiness is far from certain.

Given his extended absence from the international stage, Tamim's reluctance to commit raises legitimate concerns about his motivation and sense of responsibility. The Champions Trophy is not a platform for experimentation, and accommodating a player who has been on the sidelines for so long might not serve the team's best interests.

Unfair to the team and fans

Tamim's indecision is not just a private matter; it has broader implications for the team and the nation. While the selectors and even senior players like Shanto and Mahmudullah have gone out of their way to persuade him, his prolonged uncertainty reflects poorly on his dedication to the national cause.

This is not the first time Tamim has left fans and the board in suspense. His brief retirement in 2023, followed by a sudden reversal, created unnecessary drama and disrupted the team's focus. Now, as the BCB races against the clock to finalise its Champions Trophy squad, Tamim's delay once again puts the board in a precarious position.

The BCB's leniency towards Tamim has been commendable, but it risks setting a precedent where individual players can dictate terms at the expense of the team. The board has made its intentions clear—it wants Tamim back. However, this prolonged waiting game is neither fair to the selectors nor to the fans who have supported him throughout his career.

With the Champions Trophy just weeks away, it is high time Tamim took responsibility and communicated his decision without further delay. The team deserves clarity, and the fans deserve better than to be kept in the dark by one of their most experienced players.