Tamim Iqbal Wants To Play Just 5 WC Matches, Shakib Al Hasan Refuses

Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal [X.com]

With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 just around the corner, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are racing against time to fix their final 15 for the national men's side for the marquee event.

On Monday evening, a high-profile meeting took place at BCB president Nazmul Hasan's residence, where skipper Shakib Al Hasan and coach Chandika Hathurusingha were present.

Apart from them, former captain Tamim Iqbal also met the BCB President. As reported by Somoy TV, the cold war between Iqbal and Al Hasan could possibly derail Bangladesh's WC plans.

Iqbal, who stepped down as captain a few months ago, stated that he would be available for only five WC matches in India due to injury concerns, to which Al Hasan responded by saying the all-rounder would boycott the event if BCB heeded the former's demands.

Bangla Tigers and Rangpur Riders' social media manager Saif Ahmed also posted the same on 'X'.

Here's what Saif Ahmed posted

"According to their report, Tamim Iqbal informed BCB that if they take him to the World Cup, they have to consider the fact that he is not fully fit and Tamim also informed that he won't be able to play more than 5 matches in this World Cup.

"After hearing this, ODI captain Shakib Al Hasan said he couldn't accept that and even said he himself would not play the World Cup if Tamim goes to the World Cup and play only 5 games. He wants other player to play instead."

Iqbal recently made his comeback from injury in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, after missing the Asia Cup 2023. 

Once the best of friends, both Iqbal and Al Hasan have been having a cold war since the past two years, and have not spoken to each other outside the field. Bangladesh begin their World Cup 2023 campaign on October 7.

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