Tamim Iqbal requires back surgery, confirmed a BCB official. This could sideline him for at least four months, potentially affecting his captaincy during the ODI World Cup. Earlier, Tamim suffered a groin injury on November 30, leading to Litton Das being appointed stand-in captain during his two-week recovery period.
With Tamim Iqbal’s uncertain availability due to a back injury for the ODI World Cup 2023, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is considering five potential players to step in and fill his shoes as the team prepares for the tournament.
Also read- Tamim Iqbal out of cricket for four months due to a back injury: Report
1. Soumya Sarkar
Soumya Sarkar, an experienced Bangladesh all-rounder, participated in the T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2022, as well as the ODI World Cup in 2019. Having represented his country across all formats since his debut in 2014-15, Sarkar hasn’t played for the senior side since the last T20 World Cup. He could be a suitable replacement for Tamim Iqbal.
2. Mohammad Mithun
Mithun’s international potential remains untapped despite being in contention for years. He is a versatile wicketkeeper-batsman and a suitable choice for all three formats in Bangladesh. In the recent New Zealand series, he impressed with two half-centuries despite the team’s losses. With 15 ODIs, Mithun has 360 runs at an average of 32.73, including four half-centuries. Given his talent, he could be a strategic replacement for the injured Tamim Iqbal and even a potential captain for the national side.
3. Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah, a former off-spinner turned batting all-rounder, is a vital member of Bangladesh’s ODI team. He scored two centuries in the 2015 World Cup and has captained both T20Is and Tests. With his cricketing acumen and experience in leading in the BPL, he’s a smart choice to replace Tamim Iqbal.
4. Ronny Talukdar
Rony Talukdar has displayed promising potential as a batsman for Bangladesh in limited-overs cricket, making him deserving of a spot in the ODI World Cup squad. With eight T20 matches under his belt, he has scored 204 runs at an average of 26, showcasing his ability to hit boundaries. In a recent match against Afghanistan, he contributed 4 runs off 5 balls. His impressive performance in the BPL league further solidifies him as a good replacement option for Tamim Iqbal.
5. Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy, a talented 22-year-old top-order batsman, has featured in six matches, amassing 249 runs at an impressive average of 49.80 and a strike rate of 111.16. His performances make him a strong contender for a World Cup squad spot. Bangladesh can consider him a potential replacement for Tamim Iqbal in the team.