Bangladesh's star batsman Tamim Iqbal decides to skip T20 World Cup

Tamim Iqbal decides to skip T20 World Cup (Reuters/File Photo)

DHAKA: Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal opted out of this year`s Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday citing lack of game time as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

Tamim hurt his knee during the April-May tour of Sri Lanka but chief selector Minhajul Abedin was optimistic Bangladesh`s one-day captain would regain his fitness ahead of the World Cup in October-November.

"Game time is the biggest reason. I haven`t been playing this format for a long time," Tamim, who played the last of his 78 Twenty20 Internationals in March 2020, said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

"I don`t think my injury is a concern, because I think I`d be fit before the World Cup. The main reason is I don`t think it would be fair on those players who have played in the last 15-16 T20 matches that I haven`t played." 

Tamim`s selection in the World Cup squad was seen as a matter of him regaining his fitness and the 32-year-old said he was not quitting the 20-overs format.

Bangladesh will play Scotland in their first opening round match on October 17 in Muscat.