Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal has finally agreed to travel to Australia for the treatment of his wrist injury in the economy class after repeated attempts by Bangladesh Cricket Board officials and his family.
Tamim earlier refused to accept an economy class ticket and said he would go to Australia on personal expenses unless he could be provided with the same facilities the board had done in the cases of some other cricketers in the past.
He reacted angrily and reportedly tore apart the visa form when he was given a budget of Tk 3.5 lakh that included the fare of an economy class return air ticket. He also reportedly shouted at a member on the cricket board staff making things further complicated.
The opener was unhappy as the board provided a business class air ticket and an increased facility for Sakib al Hasan and Mashrafee bin Murtaza when they went to Australia for treatment in the recent past.
The acting cricket board chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury, selector Akram Khan, also uncle of Tamim, and BCB director Jalal Yunus repeatedly tried to convince him on Tuesday.
‘We made him understand that the board has a policy and we all need to follow it,’ Jalal later told reporters. ‘We have 23 contracted cricketers and we have to treat everyone similarly. He finally agreed and accepted the air ticket.’
Jalal said Sakib and Mashrafee were captains of the side and that they were provided business class ticket and some other facilities. Tamim, an ordinary member of the side, is not entitled to such facilities.
Tamim declined comments.
