Under-the-weather Tamim raises Covid concerns

Tamim Iqbal's absence in the second innings of Beximco Dhaka and Fortune Barisal's Bangabandhu T20 Cup match on Saturday did not go unnoticed, but the left-hander raised concerns when he told media that he had been sent to isolate at the hotel because he felt "very weak" upon returning from batting in the first innings.

The left-hander, who along with all the other players is part of a bio-secure bubble created by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, said that he had been feeling under the weather since Friday.

That raised questions about why Tamim had decided to participate in the game at all and whether it would have been better to err on the side of caution and sit out the match.

The left-hander is scheduled to undergo some tests, including one for Covid-19, today. If he tests positive, the future of the ongoing tournament will be plunged into doubt as all other players will need to be tested and cleared. There would also be an impact on the West Indies' upcoming tour.

"I had been feeling under the weather since yesterday but I felt better today in the morning. After I came back from batting, I started to feel very weak and the BCB's medical unit came and assisted me and they thought that it would be better for me to go and isolate at the hotel. I will undergo some tests tomorrow and if everything is fine, I will be able to play in the semifinal," Tamim said in a brief statement.