Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal to miss India tour

Tamim had been named in Bangladesh’s squad for the T20I series and Tests in India, but has now removed himself from the tour to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s second child

Tamim Iqbal has pulled out of Bangladesh’s tour of India, according to a report from ESPNCricinfo.

The experienced opening batsman was meant to be returning to the squad following a self-imposed absence; he had opted to take a break from the game following a disappointing World Cup and a poor ODI series against Sri Lanka subsequently.

As a result, he missed Bangladesh’s Test defeat against Afghanistan in September, as well as the following tri-series, which also included Zimbabwe.

Tamim had been named in Bangladesh’s squad for the T20I series and Tests in India, but has now removed himself from the tour to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s second child.

Imrul Kayes has been called up to replace him in the white-ball party for the trip, which consists of three T20Is and two Tests.

The tour had briefly been in doubt after Bangladeshi players boycotted cricketing activities having made a series of demands to the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the improvement of the game in the country. However, the strike has come to an end, with the sides said to have come to a resolution.

Tamim is the second Bangladesh player to withdraw from the touring squad in a matter of days; Mohammad Saifuddin, the right-arm seamer, was ruled out with a back injury on Thursday.

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