Tamim Iqbal asks to opt out of Bangladesh Cricket Board's central contract

According to a BCB official, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has formally asked to be removed from the new central contract list for the 2024 calendar year by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The 34-year-old cricket player made this choice after earlier saying he would evaluate his international future after speaking with BCB president Nazmul Hassan. Tamim Iqbal's formal request to be removed from the central contract list raises the possibility that he is reconsidering or shifting his cricketing commitments.

3 things you need to know 

• Tamim Iqbal didn’t play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 
• Tamim Iqbal  made his debut for Bangladesh in 2007
• Tamim Iqbal retired from international cricket but reversed his decision before World Cup 2023 

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What’s next for Tamim Iqbal?

In September, before the 2023 World Cup, Tamim Iqbal made his final appearance for Bangladesh in a three-match home ODI series against New Zealand. But with a sudden turnaround and declaration of retirement in July, his course of action changed. The skipper Shakib Al Hasan and the team management couldn't agree with the star batter. He decided not to attend the highly anticipated event in India as a result of these disagreements.

Jalal Yunus, the chairman of BCB cricket operations, confirmed the most recent development to the media today, saying (via Cricbuzz):

“Tamim said he has his own plan and therefore he requested us not to include him in the central contract list. He (Tamim) is supposed to meet the BCB president after the national election to decide the next course of action. Till then we have to wait.”

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Tamim Iqbal, a seasoned cricket player, has only played in 12 ODIs and one Test this year. In response to rumours over his future in the game, he made clear last month that he intended to return to professional cricket by stating that the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will see him play again starting on January 19.

The BCB is anticipated to wrap up its discussions by December 31 with the central contract list for the next year, subject to board president approval. The official status of players' contracts, including any potential modifications or exclusions, will become clear with this ruling.