BCB Set To Discuss Captaincy With Tamim Iqbal; Mashrafe Mortaza Likely to Take up Mentorship Role
Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal reversed his retirement decision last week [Source: Twitter]
With former skipper Tamim Iqbal reversing his international retirement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated that the board will discuss leading the national side with the opener after making himself available.
Iqbal has sought six weeks from BCB before being open to talks, as the southpaw has trips planned to London for medical reasons.
The 34-year-old has been having trouble with back issues, even to the extent of playing in the first ODI against Afghanistan without full fitness, before calling it a day after and then taking back his retirement within a day's time.
As quoted by Cricbuzz, BCB Cricket Operation Chairman Jalal Yunus stated that Iqbal is open to captaincy discussions.
Here's what Yunus said
"Tamim is going to Dubai. He will go to the UK on July 25 or 26. He has taken two appointments in two medical centers in London. "First let him come. We are discussing it (captaincy) with him. There is an issue with his fitness. He (Tamim) said - let me come and then will discuss it.
We will give out a 25-26-member preliminary squad (for Asia Cup) and we will know when he can join the camp. We will be watching his fitness to decide on that,"
Yunus also opened up on talks about former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza as a team mentor for the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023 in India in October.
"The board will take the decision (regarding Mashrafe mentoring Bangladesh in the World Cup). He is a member of parliament and an ex-captain. He must come officially. He is a good leader. We will talk to him if he comes to the board,"
Mortaza, 39, has been one of the most influential cricketers in Bangladesh, having played 310 international matches between 2001 and 2020.