Bangladesh stand-in captain Liton Das said that the sudden retirement of their regular captain Tamim Iqbal in the mid way of the series against Afghanistan wouldn’t affect them when they take on the tourists in the remaining games in Chattogram.
Tamim who finished with 13 in their DL 17-run loss in the opening game of the three one-day internationals, announced his retirement from international cricket in a press conference on the next day in a hotel of his hometown, Chattogram.
‘He was in the previous match, but he is not in this match. If he was injured, we would have a replacement in his place. I don’t think there will be a change. Everything will be the same,’ said Liton on Friday in Chattogram.
‘It is hard to say [if we miss Tamim]. I am here today. If I am not here tomorrow, maybe due to an injury, the Bangladesh team won’t miss me. This is normal.’
Ahead of the press meet of the second game at the ZACS it was anticipated that it was going to be full of questioning Liton regarding the unexpected quit Tamim eventually took place as well, but Bangladesh captain looked reluctant to entertain the questions from the reporters.
‘Bhai(brother) I came here to talk about tomorrow. If you ask questions regarding Tamim here, then the board president or the coach is more appropriate than me and I think I should leave.’
However, he admitted that they were a bit amazed at their regular captain’s decision but hailed it eventually adding that it is difficult to comment right now that whether the team will miss their outgoing veteran opener or not.
‘I came to know about it [his retirement] at 1 in the afternoon. Certainly, I have played with him for a long time, and no one realized that he would take such a decision but the decision is made by the elder brother and all the members of the team respect his decision and I feel everyone should do the same.’
‘It is difficult to say whether we will miss him because today I am here tomorrow I might not be here due to injury and no one will miss me because newcomers will come into the side and this is the process.’
‘If he was around it could or could not be but as he is not available anymore I don't think there is no need to talk with me about the topic anymore. I don't think there is any point looking at something that is gone, rather we need to focus on what we can do in future and bring good for the country and we need to try and do that.’
Now following the departure of Tamim, along with captaining the hosts Liton would have to think to fill the shoes of the former that apparently looks as a huge challenge.
However, Liton quashed all the hazards.
‘No brother, chill.’
