MASSIVE setback for Bangladesh as major player pulls out of Asia Cup 2023 due to injury

The Bangladesh Cricket Team is to play in the upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC ODI World Cup. They recently finished their bilateral series against Afghanistan, and the team displayed a decent performance, beating them in the Test and T20 series but failing to win the ODI matches. Their next match will be on August 31, 2023, against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023. 

3 things you need to know 

• Bangladesh is set to face New Zealand in the ODI series in September
•  Bangladesh played their first-ever ODI match against Pakistan in 1986
• Bangladesh will travel to India for the ICC ODI  World Cup in October

Also Read: Tilak Varma overshadows Jadeja with a scintillating diving catch in 1st T20I vs WI - WATCH

Tamim Iqbal makes a huge decision ahead of the Asia Cup

Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh's ODI skipper, has decided to step down before of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India. This comes on the heels of his previous announcement to retire from international cricket, which he later reversed after being persuaded by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Iqbal, on the other hand, has declared that he would no longer captain the team and will also miss the Asia Cup 2023 owing to a back issue.

Iqbal recently saw a doctor in London to address his back issues. He intends to rest and expects to play in Bangladesh's three-match ODI series against New Zealand in September, after the Asia Cup.

Also Read: 'Next Yuvraj Singh': Netizens go gaga over Tilak Varma after smashing debut for India

The choice of Tamim Iqbal to give up the captaincy

Tamim discussed his desire to give up the ODI captaincy during a meeting with BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) President Najmul Hasan Papon and Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Yunus. In preparation for the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023, he wants to concentrate on his batting and control his workload. Discussions and thoughts about his back problem led to this conclusion. He stated: 

“I will step down as captain and concentrate as a player and try to give my best whenever the opportunity comes," 

He will therefore be absent from the Asia Cup, which will take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Iqbal made the choice to prioritise his recuperation and control his workload in order to be healthy for the World Cup. Iqbal, despite resigning as captain, is still a valuable member of the squad and intends to play in the forthcoming ODI series against New Zealand following the Asia Cup.