Tamim Acknowledges That His Rift with Shakib Has Harmed the Country’s Cricket
There was a time when they were inseparable, like two peas in a pod. Neither could function without the other. But now, those days are just memories as the friendship between Shakib and Tamim has fractured, and their rivalry is out in the open. The tensions have intensified before and after the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.
This clash has become a significant problem for the team. The impact of their discord on the country’s cricket has been evident in the results of the ODI World Cup. Tamim himself has now acknowledged this.
In an interview with Indian sports magazine SportsStar, Tamim spoke about his rift with Shakib today (Wednesday). When asked whether the deterioration of his relationship with Shakib has hurt the country’s cricket, Tamim responded:
“Yes, absolutely—there’s no doubt about it. I think if our good relationship had lasted longer, it would have transformed Bangladesh cricket. Both of us have done well for the country, and we both have a positive mindset and want the best for Bangladesh cricket.”
Tamim, however, views the shift from close friendship to the current bitterness in a straightforward way. He remarked, “There are ups and downs in relationships. The important thing is that neither of us is harming the other. We are both playing for the country. I haven’t spoken to the media about this, nor have I publicly blamed him or anyone else.”
At this point, Tamim also acknowledged Shakib as the biggest superstar in Bangladesh cricket, saying, “I genuinely believe that what Shakib has done for Bangladesh is extraordinary. Whether or not we have a good relationship, that cannot be denied. He is the biggest star in Bangladesh.”
