'Wasn't as serious as it looked'

There was a lot of confusion after an apparent argument between Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim in the dressing room was captured by cameras and projected on the big screen after the wicketkeeper-batsman was dismissed against New Zealand in the third and final ODI, which the Tigers lost by 88 runs.

Mushfiqur was dismissing after top-edging a shot while trying to flick Trent Boult off the fifth ball off the ninth over as he was struggling following a finger injury sustained earlier in the innings in Dunedin.

After returning to the dressing room, Mushfiqur was seen arguing with Tamim over some issue and the left-hander appeared to be calming him down. As the moment was caught on the big screen, even the commentators mentioned that it appeared the duo were engaged in a verbal scuffle.

However, Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe later clarified the incident, saying that Mushfiqur was unhappy due to his finger injury and was discussing that issue.

Mushfiqur himself cleared the air, informing that he was annoyed with himself for being dismissed during a crucial stage of the match as he was feeling uncomfortable. He added that it was not as serious as it may have looked.

"It was nothing like I was having a verbal fight with Tamim," Mushfiqur told The Daily Star yesterday. "I was not feeling comfortable while batting as my nail was hurting. Since I got out playing a rash shot, I was furious with myself thinking that I shouldn't have gotten out in that situation.

"Tamim came to me and tried to calm me down but I couldn't control my emotions. I was trying to tell him that I should have stayed on longer as we were in a pretty bad position at that time. I had no idea it was being shown on TV and the giant screen as we often discuss various issues in the dressing room. Tamim and I are good friends, and I think he would tell you the same."

Tamim did say the same, echoing Mushfiqur's words, and informed that the matter should end there.

"First of all, I was not even near Mushfiqur when he got out and came to the dressing room. When I realised he was unhappy with himself, as one of the senior members of the team I went there and tried to calm him down because we all know Mushfiqur is a very emotional person. I will not say what we talk about in the dressing rom but I can say that it was nothing serious, which people may have assumed after seeing it on TV. I think this matter should end here," Tamim said.