World Cup 2023: Bangladesh coach avoids question on Shakib Al Hasan's TV interview on Tamim Iqbal

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe made sure he steered clear of any further controversy in the lead-up to their opening match against Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup 2023 as he avoided a question about the much-talked-about episode involving Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.

Chandika Hathurusinghe was asked about the sensational TV interview that captain Shakib Al Hasan gave in which he targetted senior opener Tamim Iqbal but the head coach tactfully chose not to answer it in Dharamsala on Friday ahead of their opening match against Afghanistan.

"I had a conversation about his batting, bowling, and captaincy," Chandika said when asked if he had a word with Shakib about the TV



interview.

It all began when Tamim Iqbal, the veteran Bangladesh opener, was dropped from the 2023 World Cup squad. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials cited a persistent back injury as the reason for his exclusion. However, on September 27, 2023, Tamim Iqbal made a shocking revelation in a video posted on his official Facebook account. Contrary to BCB's claims, Tamim claimed that he was asked to manage his injury and play in the World Cup. He was even suggested to skip the first match against Afghanistan or bat in the middle order, a position unfamiliar to him. This unexpected proposition left Tamim feeling uncomfortable and forced, leading him to request the selectors to drop him from the squad, the opener said.