Champions Trophy 2025: Bangladesh keen to have Tamim Iqbal in the tournament

Bangladesh are keen to have Tamim Iqbal in the mix for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to get underway on February 19. Bangladesh chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain is believed to have held talks with the former skipper on the sidelines of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) about his participation in the eight-team event.

Tamim had retired from international cricket in July 2023, three months before the ODI World Cup in India, but reversed his decision the next day at the insistence of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, he was not on good terms with the then Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan but returned to play three more ODIs. However, he was not picked in the World Cup squad.

Since then, both Hasina and Nazmul have fled the country following the nationwide anti-government protests. Tamim has not played international cricket after that but has been an active part of the domestic set-up, including winning the BPL 2024, where he was named the Player of the Tournament. 

January 12 is the last day to submit a provisional squad, as per ICC's directions, and the BCB are willing to wait until the last minute to submit theirs. "We held a primary discussion with Tamim," Hossain said, according to ESPNCricinfo. 

"We have to announce the Champions Trophy team by January 12, so we have a bit of time. We want to let him take time, not be in a hurry to decide. We have spoken to him on behalf of the board. The player has to come to a decision after speaking to his family, friends and well-wishers. He is also in the middle of a tournament so he will need a bit of time.

"We have four days left [before announcing the squad]. We have done our homework, so we know how things will shape up. We pay respect to a cricketer like Tamim Iqbal so he can take his time before informing us. I think it's fair enough. The board is fine with this, so everyone now has to be patient."

Tamim was also the highest scorer in the National Cricket League T20s. Hossain acknowledged that there is a big gap between playing domestic and international cricket and urged Tamim to decide whether to take the step.

"There's a huge gap between domestic and international cricket. A player who is at a crucial juncture in his career, he has to consider a lot of things. I think it will be hasty for everyone to take a call in just one meeting, given that Tamim hasn't been around international cricket for quite some time.

"He is playing the BPL. He played in the NCL T20s. There's no question about his ability. We are all waiting for his return to the Bangladesh team. He is most welcome from our side. You just have to wait. Let there be suspense."

Bangladesh's first match in the Champions Trophy will be against India on February 20 in Dubai.