Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladesh opener, who is preparing to take part in the upcoming Everest Premier League, has received the No objection certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to take part in the competition. His participation in the tournament will mark his return to competitive cricket following a two-month rehabilitation from a knee injury.
Tamim, who had missed three successive T20I series - against Zimbabwe, Australia and New Zealand - owing to the injury and had withdrawn from the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, began his preparation at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from September 19.
Tamim had initially planned to play in the EPL as part of his preparation for the T20 World Cup but later decided not to be part of the global event.
Akram Khan, the BCB Cricket Operation chairman confirmed to Cricbuzz that Tamim has received the NOC. The southpaw batted in the nets for 50 minutes and even underwent a few fielding drills as a part of training.
BCB chief physician Debashish Chowdhury, who had a close look at Tamim while he was batting in the nets told Cricbuzz that they are expecting him to be fully fit before the tournament, scheduled in Nepal from September 25 to October 9.
"Tamim is not having any problem when he is batting but we have to see how he feels while running and fielding. But the way he is improving, we are hopeful that he will be able to make it in EPL," said Debashish.
Tamim had suffered an injury to his right knee during Bangladesh's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in April-May. He subsequently took part in the home ODI series against Sri Lanka as well the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division T20 League. However, he had to quit the tournament midway after aggravating the injury while playing in the league and missed the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. After leading the side in the ODI series in Zimbabwe, Tamim skipped the T20 leg and went through a rehabilitation program after returning home.
Tamim, who will be representing Bhairahawa Gladiators in the competition, is expected to leave on September 24 in order to take part in the tournament.
The EPL was initially scheduled to start on March 14 but had to be postponed due to Covid-19.
