'Absolutely normal' - Tamim Iqbal on his on-field relationship with Shakib Al Hasan
Mohammed Isam
Mohammed Isam
February 26, 2023
Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are the two key leading members of the Bangladesh set-up • Getty Images
Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are the two key leading members of the Bangladesh set-up • Getty Images
Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal and Test captain Shakib Al Hasan may not be on the best of terms off the field, but Tamim is adamant that their on-field relationship is working properly.
Shakib is part of the squad for this series but was not present with the squad during the build-up; Tamim said it was because he was away attending to a family matter.
"The important thing is when Shakib and I put on the Bangladesh jersey, we give our best. And as long as we help each other when we lead the teams, nothing else matters," Tamim said when asked about the rift between the teams. the two, sparked by BCB chief Nazmul Hasan's comment in an interview with Cricbuzz.
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"I can assure you that as an ODI captain, I always get his help and I'm always available if he needs any suggestions in the Test team. When we bat together or when we celebrate his wicket, it's completely normal."
Shakib was not available for comment as he is reportedly in the US for family reasons. Tamim said he would have preferred to have Shakib in the team ahead of the England series, but understands why Shakib has to be out. But I've said before that family is the most important thing. Family comes before everything else."
Tamim said he sat down with Shakib in a meeting to discuss things but did not elaborate much. "It was [a meeting] between two individuals who are very important members of the team. That matter should not have come out of that room. I will not comment on that. Anything [to end their differences] is possible."
Asked if it was distracting to deal with such questions ahead of a big series, Tamim said he felt it was more important for him to clear the air. I knew these questions would come.
And as long as we help each other when we lead the teams, nothing else matters."
Tamim Iqbal says all is well with Shakib Al Hasan
"It would have been very easy for me to say 'No comment, let's move on', but I think it was important to get my message across to the press and the fans."
Tamim said he has not noticed any cliques in the team, but the word comes up in the media when the team is not doing well. "I've been playing for Bangladesh for 17 years. At various times when the team wasn't doing well, that term was used. I'm not just saying that - I'm quite a straightforward person and I've never seen grouping in my career.
I haven't seen anything for the last three or four days [during the training camp]. We were having fun, talking about the BPL etc. But unfortunately, when if the team is not doing well, this deadline is coming. Now the team is doing well. And as far as I'm concerned, everything is fine."
The ODIs are part of the ongoing Super League, from where the top eight teams will earn direct qualification for the World Cup later this year. Bangladesh are currently sixth in the points table, with England third.
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