Tamim Iqbal opts for BPL ahead of South Africa's T20 league

Bangladesh ace batsman, Tamim Iqbal, has refused to play in the South African Global T20 league, as he has a commitment with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise Duronto Rajshahi in the league. The swashbuckling opener is also the part of Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Interestingly, the owners of Peshawar Zalmi are also owners of a team in South Africa’s global T20 league.

Iqbal was one of the prime strength of Bangladesh batting in the recently concluded Champions Trophy in England. He stole the show at the tournament opener against England with his daddy hundred. He followed it up with yet another important innings against the Australians with his 95. Tamim is one of the most sought after names in the T20 franchise circuit. Tamim has been gaining few headlines in England lately for terminating his season with Essex citing personal reasons.

Iqbal ends his stint with Essex

However, reports emerged about his family being targetted for acid attacks, falling under the domain of hate crime. Bangladesh’s Daily Star reported what they said was a racially-motivated attack in London on Iqbal’s wife Ayesha Siddiqa on Monday night, citing sources close to the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Dismissing all such reports he claimed that “I want all my fans and well-wishers to know that I cut short my season with Essex to come back home early for personal reasons. Some media reported that we were the target of attempted hate crime. This is really not true.” said Tamim Iqbal according to The Sun.

“The team I play for in PSL have bought a franchise in the South Africa T20 League so it is true that I had an offer, There is no question of me playing there bearing in mind that I will be playing BPL T20, which will take place at the same time,” commented the southpaw regarding his stint with BPL and possibility of being offered by Global T20 League.