Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal is likely to have been approved a leave from the lone Test match against Afghanistan, followed by the tri-nation T20I series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, all to be played at home in September this year.
The occasion will be the first for Tamim to miss a series for Bangladesh apart from injury.
It is understood that the southpaw has requested the BCB for a break to recharge himself mentally.
During almost a month-long break from cricket, Tamim will work on a personal fitness schedule and is expected to make a return through Bangladesh’s tour of India in November this year.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests against the Indians.
@BCBtigers ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza is set to return to action with rehabilitation program to take place after Eid-ul-Adha vacation.https://t.co/5SpCIuJ4kp#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #MASHRAFE #MASHRAFEBINMORTAZA #BINMORTAZA #MASH
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 4, 2019
Bangladesh Cricket Board had granted all-rounder Shakib al Hasan leave from the three-match ODI series against host Sri Lanka last month.
Shakib had earlier taken a break during the Test series against host South Africa in 2017 as well.
''We will start a camp, most likely from August 20, and have chalked a 35-member squad already,” said BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin to the media Saturday.
“Because Tamim has asked for a leave from the series, we will have the final squads (for Tests and T20Is) with that in consideration,” the former Bangladesh captain added.
Tamim dealt with a pale patch during the World Cup 2019, finishing with 235 runs in eight games backed by a lone half-century.
The @BCBtigers declared the schedule of the tri-nation T20I series at home involving @ACBofficials and @ZimCricketv, following Zimbabwe Cricket’s confirmation of availability Wednesday.https://t.co/EYIdgg0xEQ#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #ACB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 7, 2019
The situation for the left-handed batsman worsened as he toured Sri Lanka.
The “interim” ODI captain returned home from the island nation scoring 21 runs in three matches as Bangladesh conceded a series whitewash against the host.
Bangladesh Test and T20I captain Shakib earlier this month suggested in the media to give Tamim a break.
Shakib emphasized on the importance of a proper break and stress management, especially for the seasoned campaigners.
“See, a player can go through these [bad] phases. What I feel is that it’s most important for him to rest, recover and come back strongly. I am sure he will do that,” Shakib said during a public meet in Dhaka.
