Struggling Tamim Iqbal requests for a ‘mental break’

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal‘s request for a break from international cricket has been reportedly granted after his recent batting struggles.

Tamim has been going through a lean patch since the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 where he managed one half-century across eight innings while averaging 29.37. Following that, he led Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka which they were blanked 0-3.

”We have received a letter from Tamim in this regard. We will take a decision about it after the Eid vacation,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cricket operation chairman Akram Khan told Cricbuzz on Saturday.

Tamim scored 21 across those three matches including a duck.

The string of failures prompted teammate Shakib Al Hasan suggesting him to take a break from international cricket. “I think the important thing for him now is to take some rest, recover well, feel fresh and come back strongly. I am sure he will do this,” Shakib had said.

However as per a ESPNcricinfo report, Tamim’s letter to BCB asking for a ‘mental break’ earlier this month has been accepted meaning he will miss the one-off Test against Afghanistan and a T20I tri-series that follows.

The Test will be played in Chittangong from September 5 while the T20I series, also involving suspended Zimbabwe, starts from September 24.

Though he will be back for international duties in November when Bangladesh will tour India for three T20Is and two Tests.

The 30-year-old Tamim has scored a combined 12,832 across formats in international cricket.