Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has withdrawn from the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman. ''As I did not play in the last 15 to 20 T20 matches, and whoever replaced me, I don't think it would be fair on them if I take their place," the southpaw noted through a video message.
Tamim suffered a knee injury during the Test series against Sri Lanka in April-May. He subsequently missed the T20I series versus Zimbabwe and the home series against Australia. He is also not a part of the Bangladesh squad for the five-match T20I rubber versus New Zealand, reports Cricbuzz.
''I just called board president Papon bhai (Nazmul Hasan) and chief selector Nanno bhai (Minhajul Abedin) few minutes back and said that I don't think I should be playing in the World Cup and I am not available for it.
''I think game-plan in one of the biggest reasons, because I am not playing this format for a long time and second... (knee) injury, but I don't think that is a big problem because I feel I will be okay before the World Cup," he added.