Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, also the ODI captain of the Bangladesh national cricket team, announced that he will not be available for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Oman and UAE.

Tamim made the announcement in a Facebook live from his official account on Wednesday.

He said that he made his decision clear to the Board President Nazmul Hassan Papon and the Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu.

Tamim said, “I just called and talked with our board President Papon bhai and chief selector Nannu bhai. I told them I think I should not be part of the T20 world cup team. I would like to inform you that I will not be available for the upcoming T20 World Cup.”

“I have not played last 15 or 16 matches in this format. As a result, I think it will not be fair to be a part of the team,” he added.

However, Tamim is hopeful of playing other T20 leagues or marches in this period if possible.

The Bangladesh ODI skipper, however, wished all the best to the team for the series against New Zealand and the world cup.

“There are two or three reasons behind my decision. My absence in the format for a long time is the main reason here. Secondly, injury, which is not a big problem because I hope that I will recover before the World Cup,” said Tamim.

Such an announcement from Tamim Iqbal comes hours before the Tigers are scheduled to play first T20I against New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.