World Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan threatens to leave Bangladesh captaincy over rift with Tamim Iqbal - Reports

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World Cup 2023: Bangladesh cricket team find themselves under trouble just before the World Cup 2023 which begins from October 5. Media reports have suggested that Shakib Al Hasan is unwilling to captain the Bangladesh side in the marquee event.

Shakib Al Hasan took over the Bangladesh captaincy ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 after Tamim Iqbal stepped down from the position in a dramatic fashion. Tamim first announced his shock retirement after losing the first ODI of the 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan in July.

However, the retirement was withdrawn just 24 hours later after the interference from Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. However, the senior opener relinquished his ODI captaincy and did not participate further in the series and the Asia Cup 2023 due to his back injury.

The 34-year-old made his comeback with the 3-match home ODI series against New Zealand, however, batted only once before asking for a rest for the third ODI due to pain in his back again.

Rift between Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal

As reported by Somoy TV, Tamim Iqbal has stated that he would be available for only five World Cup matches in India due to injury concerns, to which the veteran all-rounder responded by saying that he would boycott the event if BCB agrees to the former's demands.

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) member told The Daily Star that Shakib Al Hasan doesn't want to be the captain in the World Cup 2023. He doesn't want to take any half-fit cricketer to the marquee ICC event.

The BCB president Nazmul Hasan has already met Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal separately at his residence. Shakib was accompanied by coach Chandika Hathurusingha in the meeting. Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza visited the BCB office on request of Nazmul Hasan on Wednesday.

Once the best of friends, both Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan have been at loggerheads since the past two years, and have not spoken to each other outside the field. Bangladesh kick off their World Cup 2023 campaign on October 7 against Afghanistan in Dharamsala.