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Some decisions are life-changing: Mortaza praises Tamim Iqbal for opting out of World Cup

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Tamim Iqbal the swashbuckling Bangladesh opener decided to opt-out of the T20 World Cup 2021 which is to be held in UAE and Oman in October- November citing that other Bangladesh openers are better suited for the series having continuously played the format. Former Bangladesh captain, Mashrafe Mortaza has lauded Tamim for such bold and sacrificial decision making. 

Posting his thoughts on his official Facebook page, Mortaza said that the current openers Naim Sheikh, Liton Das and Somya Sarkar are good players and their worth shouldn’t be judged by how they have batted on the sluggish Dhaka pitches in the recent past. 

"They are playing on wickets where nobody except (Mahmudullah) Riyad has touched fifty. It would be unfair to judge Soumya, Naim and Liton before they get to play on true batting wickets. These boys have worked hard in the (home) series,” wrote the 37-year-old. 

Terming this decision by Tamim as life-changing not just for him but for junior openers as well, Mortaza, also an MP in Bangladesh Parliament said, "Some decisions change people's lives. After this decision, Soumya, Liton and Naim will give their all when they next play an ODI under Tamim. This is because whatever anyone else thought, Tamim valued their hard work.”

"Tamim is well-liked in the dressing room but maybe he thought deeply about how he would be welcomed into the side after he missed 16 (sic 12) matches in the format," he added. 

BCB president Nazmul Hassan also commended the 32-year-old openers decision saying that it takes courage to give away playing a World Cup purely because you did not merit according to the situation. 

"He was our first choice. He was in the T20 World Cup squad. But after he informed us, he is no longer in the team. He will play more World Cups in the future. It was a brave decision, not an easy one,” Hassan said. 

"Everyone wants to play the World Cup, but he thought about it and then spoke to us. He thought it would be an injustice if he gets to play ahead of those playing now," added the BCB chief.

Tamim Iqbal, after making his T20I debut in 2007 has played 78 matches for Bangladesh.

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