Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal has been linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Pune Warriors for the upcoming fifth season of the IPL beginning on April 4.
A source close to the Pune Warriors said yesterday that Tamim Iqbal could replace Australian all-rounder James Hopes, whose knee injury left the franchise with two foreign players’ spots vacant.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) did not deny nor confirm the reports. According to sources it was learnt that the papers are set to arrive to the BCB sometime next week for the final formalities. Tamim Iqbal was also not available for comment; it was learnt that he is currently out of the country. There is talk that the dashing left-hander will sign the papers upon his return.
Tamim was earlier up for auction for the fourth edition of the IPL last year, but went unsold.
If he does join the Pune franchise, he will be the fifth Bangladeshi to play in the IPL after Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan, who will play this season for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
-With The Daily Star input
