Tamim steps down as ODI captain

DHAKA: Tamim Iqbal stepped down on Thursday as captain of Bangladesh´s One-day International side and pulled his name out of the Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in August and September.

The 34-year-old opening batsman announced his decision citing an injury problem after holding a meeting with senior officals within the Bangladesh Cricket Board in Dhaka a month after his retirement U-turn from international cricket.

"I have informed them (the BCB officials) that from today I am stepping down as the Bangladesh ODI team captain. I have explained the reason. Injury is an issue," Tamim told reporters after the meeting.

"I have always thought about the team first. For the betterment of the team (I thought) I should step down as captain and concentrate as a player, and try to give my best whenever the opportunity comes," Tamim said.

Tamim added that he had also informed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of his decision, and she had acknowledged his dilemma.

Tamim retired from all forms of international cricket in July during the recent home series, only to withdraw his decision a day later at the request of Hasina.

The veteran opener broke down in tears while announcing his international retirement after leading his side to a 17-run defeat in the first of a three-match one-day series against Afghanistan.

His temporary retirement followed BCB president Nazmul Hassan´s public criticism of Tamim after he played a match against Afghanistan despite admitting he was not 100 percent fit.

Hasina invited Tamim and Nazmul to her residence the next day, prompting the cricketer to change his mind.

Tamim, however, did not play the remaining two ODIs against Afghanistan and took a six-week break to undergo injury rehab. Opening batsman Liton Das led Bangladesh in the remaining Afghanistan ODIs after Tamim´s withdrawal from the series.