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Sports Published At: 28 Sep 2023, 12:28 p.m.

Shakib sees no issue with suggested batting order change for Tamim


Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan
File image of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Photo: Collected

Shakib answered various questions in an interview to T Sports. The proposal made thinking about the team, he says.


Shakib Al Hasan has said that he does not see any problem with a proposal made by a senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official regarding a change in Tamim Iqbal's batting order.

Following the announcement of the 15-member World Cup squad by the BCB, which did not include Tamim Iqbal, the experienced opener addressed the ongoing controversy in a Facebook video message.

In an interview with T Sports, Shakib Al Hasan responded to various questions and clarified that he had no involvement in the rumors surrounding him.

Tamim revealed in the video that a high-ranking BCB official had suggested altering the batting order, a proposal he did not favour. He expressed his unwillingness to participate in the World Cup under such conditions. Consequently, the BCB was compelled to announce the team without Tamim.

However, Shakib Al Hasan does not view this proposal as problematic. He made these remarks during an interview with T-Sports on Wednesday at 11pm.

Shakib said: "I'm certain that no one made this comment with the intention to demean anyone. This statement was made while considering the team, thinking about how certain combinations can affect a match. I don't see anything wrong with discussing such matters."

Regarding the suggestion of batting below Tamim in the order, Shakib questioned: "Is there anything wrong with such a proposal, or can such proposals not be made at all? It's a matter of team versus individual. Rohit Sharma has batted in various positions, from opening to number seven, and has scored 10,000 runs. It seems childish to me... I will play as this is my bat... no one else can. For the sake of the team, anyone should be ready to play in any position… The team comes first. Whether you make one hundred or two hundred, it doesn't make a difference."

Shakib then made a personal comment about Tamim, suggesting that individual achievements are irrelevant and reflect a self-centered approach.

He implied that Tamim was not concerned about the team and should have accepted the proposal as it could have benefited the team.

Meanwhile, there have been rumors suggesting that Shakib played a role in Tamim's exclusion from the World Cup squad.