Mashrafe Mortaza has joined the controversy over Tamim Iqbal’s omission from Bangladesh’s World Cup squad, stating that the ongoing saga could have been avoided with better communication from all sides.

The former Bangladesh captain released a video statement on Facebook in which he commented on both the statement from Tamim yesterday (September 27) and the rebuttal interview from Shakib Al Hasan.

Mortaza addressed Tamim’s allegations of the circumstances surrounding his axing from the squad, saying: “A few days ago, someone from the BCB called Tamim. He lost his cool and announced that he did not want to be part of the Bangladesh team. That was another mistake on his part. Hasty decisions, driven by temper, often turn out to be wrong, as we have seen in our personal lives as well. He could have pondered over this.”

In his own statement, Tamim said that he had “lost his calm” after he was asked by a BCB official to bat down the order rather than open in the World Cup. Mortaza commented on this version of events and questioned why it was handled by an official rather than a member of playing staff, saying: “Tamim also mentioned in his video that the BCB official had asked him to sit out of the first match or bat down the order. If you ask me, this should have come from the coach, the captain, or the selector accompanying the team – and not a board official. It is also intriguing that they took a call on the strategy for the first match so far ahead.

“Every cricketer goes through an emotional turmoil when they retire from the sport. When he retired in July, after the ODI against Afghanistan at Chittagong, he was all teared up. He did not blame anyone but simply moved away from cricket. When the board officials could not convince him, the Prime Minister had to get involved. It took her a two-hour conversation to convince him. Once that happened, it was unnecessary for a board official to call him up before the World Cup squad announcement and tell him what he did. They could just have announced the squad.

“Man-management is important for everyone, even in our personal lives. Tamim has been in the side for years, and all of us know what he likes and what he does not. Everyone should know what they should tell Tamim and what they should not.”

Mortaza also commented on Shakib’s response to Tamim’s statement. In an interview with T-Sports yesterday (September 28), Shakib labelled Tamim “childish” and accused him of “playing for individual records, success, fame, and name – not for the team”. Shakib was named captain of Bangladesh’s ODI side after Tamim stepped down in August.

“It is totally childish.”

Shakib Al Hasan has responded to Tamim Iqbal’s statement on his omission from Bangladesh’s World Cup squad 👀#CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/DUvS2CvdCy

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 28, 2023

“What Shakib said was logical,” said Mortaza. “He does not want to lead and I agree, there is nothing for him to gain out of leading Bangladesh. He simply wants to enjoy the game and be with the team. Yet, when Tamim resigned, Shakib was almost pushed into leadership. He agreed only for the sake of his country, and needs to be congratulated for that.”

Mortaza also condemned the suggestion that Tamim was only willing to play five matches in the World Cup, a rumour which Tamim also denied in his own statement, saying: “Whoever has spread these rumours to the media needs to be held accountable.”

However, while Mortaza was supporting of Shakib as captain of Bangladesh’s World Cup bid, he criticized his handling of the situation and ongoing rift with Tamim.

“If Shakib had to take a call on team selection or batting orders, all he needed to do was text or call Tamim,” said Mortaza. “Had he done that, these circumstances would not have arisen. Even if they had disagreed, it would have stayed among the two of them. Shakib’s stature in Bangladesh cricket is such that if he wants something, I do not think any Bangladesh cricketer – past or present – would have refused. All he needed to do was talk to Tamim.

“Shakib wants anyone to be prepared to bat at any position for the sake of the team. In Tamim’s defence, it must be said that opening batting is a specialist’s role. Shakib mentioned Rohit Sharma going down the order, but Rohit (Sharma) had started out as a middle-order batter. Tamim has always opened.”

In true diplomatic fashion, Mortaza finished his statement with a plea for future similar circumstances to be dealt with before they reached boiling point.

“Shakib is a man of a strong character who can get over these incidents and look forward. If such incidents arise in the future, I hope the cricketers talk among themselves and sort out.”

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