Tamim accepts rift with Shakib

Special Correspondent
Published: 05:34PM. 26 Feb 2023
Tamim accepts rift with Shakib

The Bangladesh one-day captain Tamim Iqbal did not turn down the truth about his ongoing cold relationship with his national teammate Shakib Al Hasan but he assured that it did not touch their dressing room environment. 

Tamim further clarified that he used to maintain a professional relationship with Shakib while getting  along in the field. However, he played down their off-the-field affairs.

Tamim mentioned the schism after BCB president Nazmul Hassan told Cricbuzz that the two don't get along.

‘The important thing is, when Shakib and I put on the Bangladesh jersey, when we are giving our best, if we are helping each other when we are leading the teams, nothing else matters,’ said Tamim on Sunday in an official press conference in Mirpur.

‘Whatever anyone is saying, whether we have coffee together, these things don’t matter. I can assure you that I always get his help as an ODI captain, and I am always there if needs any suggestions in the Test team. When we bat together, or when we are celebrating his wicket, it’s absolutely normal.’

When asked whether it is unsettling to answer such questions prior to the commencement of a significant series against England, Tamim asserted that he felt it was more important for him to clear the air about the issue.

‘I was prepared since yesterday. I have never seen so many journalists in one room. I knew these questions would come. It would have been very easy for me to say, "no comments, let’s move forward’, but I think it was important to give my message to the journalists and fans. This is why I was happy to answer.’

Tamim did however acknowledge that he sat in a meeting with Shakib, and that there’s a way forward for them, but didn’t elaborate much.

‘It was between two individuals who are very important members of the team. It shouldn’t have come out of that room. I am not commenting on that. Everything (ending the rift) is possible," he said.

Tamim said that he would have preferred having Shakib with the squad ahead of the England series, but he understands that he is tending to a family issue.

"It is definitely important for the whole squad to be together. But I have said it before that family is the most important thing. Family is above everything," he said.

Tamim said that he hasn’t noticed any "grouping" or cliques in the team, and that the word usually comes up when the team isn’t doing well.  

"I have been playing for Bangladesh for 17 years. In different times when the team wasn’t doing well, this term was being used. I am not just saying it and I am quite a straightforward person, I have never seen grouping in my career.

"I don’t know if it developed in the last six months when I wasn’t with the team, but it doesn’t seem like it. I haven’t seen anything in the last three or four days.’

About his goals in the approaching one day series against England, the southpaw vowed to win it.

‘Our number one motive is to win the series. Of course we will feature in the first ODI to win it.’

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