Shakib Backs Tamim for Extended Run at BCB

Bangla Press Desk:   The brotherhood may be fractured, but the respect for the game remains. In a striking show of support from afar, Shakib Al Hasan has backed his long-time teammate and current Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ad-hoc chief, Tamim Iqbal, to lead the board for the "long term."

Speaking at a EUT20 Belgium event in Mumbai on Wednesday, the legendary all-rounder—currently playing his cricket in global leagues while in a state of self-imposed exile—offered a rare olive branch to the man now holding the keys to the country’s cricket.

While Tamim’s current mandate is to oversee the board’s transition and upcoming elections, Shakib made it clear that he sees his former captain as more than just a temporary fix.

"He’s there to hold an election, but hopefully, if he becomes the president [permanently], he will have a long-term plan," Shakib said. "Bangladesh cricket will certainly benefit from him."

Shakib didn’t hold back when addressing the national team’s controversial absence from the T20 World Cup this past February. The Tigers were replaced by Scotland after a diplomatic row led to a total withdrawal—a decision Shakib labeled a massive mistake.

"A country like Bangladesh not participating was a big miss," he remarked. "I think it was a blunder from the government side that they took the decision not to participate. We are a cricket-loving country and missing a World Cup is a massive loss."

Discussing his move into the European circuit, Shakib noted that T20 is the only way to make cricket a "global sport," especially with the Olympics on the horizon. He also took time to praise the current crop of Tigers, specifically calling for the careful "guidance and nurturing" of young pace sensation Nahid Rana.

Despite the distance and the politics, the veteran remains hopeful that the "ice will break" during the upcoming series against India, potentially paving the way for a farewell at Mirpur.

"With time, everything heals," Shakib said. "I am hopeful that I can get what I want. Things will start getting better sooner or later." Source: daily Sun

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