Tamim set to miss India tour

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about his decision to be left out of the tour to India, according to sources.

The 30-year-old had earlier informed the BCB about his possible unavailability and on Saturday he confirmed his decision with the board.

As a result, Tamim's back-up player for the tour to India, Imrul Kayes has been present in the team training from Friday.

BCB's CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury did not confirm that Tamim was missing the tour, but he did hint that there was no guarantee of Tamim's availability.

"We were speaking about this matter but have not confirmed anything. But if there is a family matter, then we won't be able to do anything about it and will have to consider the decision," Nizam Uddin said.

According to sources, Tamim wants to be with his wife and family, who are expecting the birth of their second child for which Tamim will have to go to Bangkok for two to three weeks within a few days. 

So that would mean that the left-handed opener will have to miss the entire T20 and Test series against India.

Tamim had earlier taken time away from cricket during the last series Bangladesh played at home against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe after having a poor World Cup with the bat, and an even worse tour of Sri Lanka, where he was captain.

During his time away from cricket, Tamim was training hard for his comeback.

This will also be a big miss for the Bangladesh team and it will be back-to-back series' that the most decorated batsman in Bangladesh won't be a part of. 

Previously, pace bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin was ruled out of the tour to India with a back injury.