Tamim steps down as ODI captain

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 said 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.