The uncertainty surrounding Tamim Iqbal’s future with the Bangladesh national cricket team deepens as he finds himself excluded from the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) central contracts list for 2024. Tamim’s cricketing journey has been marked by twists, including a brief retirement last year, which he rescinded at the urging of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Despite returning for the World Cup after relinquishing the captaincy, Tamim’s relationship with the BCB has faced challenges, casting a shadow over his standing in the team. The recent exclusion from the central contracts list indicates a potential sidelining of Tamim from Bangladesh’s plans for 2024, even though he remains eligible for ODIs and Tests.
The BCB’s contract announcements encompass 21 players, with Shoriful Islam and the newly appointed captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, securing all-format deals. Taskin Ahmed, who held a triple contract last year, now focuses on ODIs and T20Is after expressing his preference to be excluded from Test consideration due to a shoulder injury.
Taskin, currently featuring in the Bangladesh Premier League for Durdanto Dhaka, had endured the injury during the World Cup in India last year, missing subsequent Tests against New Zealand and the white-ball tour to New Zealand in December.
Alongside Tamim, Ebadot Hossain, Afif Hossain, and Mosaddek Hossain also face omission from the central contracts list. The roster for 2024 introduces new names like Towhid Hridoy, Tanzim Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Naeem Hasan, and Nurul Hasan.
In parallel developments, the BCB approved salary contracts for 85 first-class cricketers for 2024, reinforcing its commitment to fostering talent across formats. The central contracts for 2024 reflect a strategic approach, categorizing players based on their roles in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
As Tamim Iqbal’s future remains uncertain, Bangladesh cricket undergoes a transitional phase with a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents. The central contracts decisions shed light on the BCB’s vision for the national team, setting the stage for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the cricketing landscape of 2024.
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