Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal takes 6-month break from T20Is, to focus on Tests and 2023 World Cup preparation

Senior Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has said that he won’t be playing T20 Internationals for the next six months, choosing to concentrate on Bangladesh’s World Test Championship campaign and prepare for the 2023 World Cup.

While it was earlier reported that Tamim, 32, could take a break from T20Is until the 2023 World Cup, he said that he has been asked by the Bangladesh Cricket Board hierarchy to continue playing T20Is.

“For the last couple of days, I am having meeting with BCB president, Jalal bhai (BCB cricket operation chairman) and Kazi Inam (BCB director) and they all wanted me to continue T20 cricket especially at least till the World Cup,” Tamim told reporters at Chattogram on Thursday.

“But my version is different. All I can say is that I am not continuing T20 international cricket for next six months. I will focus on Tests and ODIs during these six months. We have got Test Championship and preparation for the 2023 World Cup, so I will put all my focus on these two formats.

“Hope that whoever will play in the national team will do so well that I won’t be required in international cricket. After six months, if a situation arises that team management feels I am required in the World Cup (T20) and if I am ready, we will discuss.”

Tamim has scored 1758 runs in 78 T20I matches and has not played in the format since March 2020.