Tamim steps down as Bangladesh vice-captain

Tamim Iqbal has resigned as Bangladesh's vice-captain to focus more on his batting. He informed the BCB through a letter to Akram Khan, the chairman of the cricket operations committee.

The board had appointed Tamim as Mushfiqur Rahim's deputy for the series against Sri Lanka four days before the Dhaka Test that started on January 27. He was given the same role on Saturday when Mashrafe Mortaza was named captain for the two-match Twenty20 series after Mushfiqur was rested due to a finger injury.

"With such a long season coming up, I think it is in the best interest of the team that I focus on my batting," Tamim said. "The role of the vice-captain has certain off-field duties, although it is not that visible on the field."

Nazmul Hassan, the BCB president, said that Mashrafe's experience as an international captain convinced him to give the bowler the interim job.

"Tamim Iqbal is a very important member of the national cricket team and he is a future leader," Hassan said. "More than anything, it is his batting ability which is most significant to the fortunes of Bangladesh cricket. With a busy international season underway we felt it would be best not to burden him with the additional responsibility of captaincy in the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka so that he could fully concentrate on his batting.

"Masrafe Bin Mortaza is the team's most senior cricketer and an inspirational figure. We are confident that he will lead the side competently with his vast experience."

The two-match Test series against Sri Lanka has been Tamim's second-worst in terms of runs scored. He made 48 runs in the series, getting out playing a hook shot and a hoick in the two innings in Mirpur.

There was expectation that he would bounce back in his hometown Chittagong but he missed a delivery that kept low in the first innings, and was bowled through the gate in the second innings.