No longer ‘best friends’

The bitter relationship between 'best friends' Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal has been festering for quite some time now and has remained something of an open secret in the nation's cricket fraternity, but the topic came squarely to the forefront after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon admitted that the relationship between the two national stalwarts was strained during an interview with Cricbuzz on Saturday.

His quotes spread like wildfire, leaving many to question whether the frosty relationship between two of the biggest egos in Bangladesh's dressing room would seep into the environment. But Papon asserted that the players had assured him they would not let their issues affect the team, especially on the field.

"This is not a healthy dressing room, that I can guarantee you. This thing [rift between Shakib and Tamim], it's not that I have not tried to sort it out. I spoke with both of them but I felt that it would not be easy to settle the issue at the moment. Both of them have been given the same message: 'we don't know what is going on between you, but during a game or series, these differences cannot come out'. Both of them assured me that it would not be there during the game," Papon was quoted as saying.

The Daily Star contacted the BCB boss and he admitted that the tension between the two players had become prevalent but he could not get to the bottom of an issue which he believed would harm the next generation of players, many of whom idolise one or the other of Bangladesh's finest.

It appears that things have deteriorated much more than previously portrayed and become so intense that the two have even sought opportunities to skip playing under each other.

There have been numerous incidents in recent times when Tamim and Shakib have skipped international series, citing injury concerns or various reasons. There were even occasions when the two had opted not to face each other despite being present in the same programme, raising questions about their relationship.

Both players, who once used to publicly fawn over their friendship, have moved away from their previous statements. In the past, Shakib has told the media that his best friend within the dressing room was Tamim Iqbal. Curiously, on many occasions in recent times, both parties denied it, saying that their friendship was created and hyped up by the media.

England had their first training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday ahead of their white-ball series against Bangladesh. All-rounder Moeen Ali, who won the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League with Comilla Victorians, will look to put his experience in the country to good use and would have had some insights to share with his skipper Jos Buttler. Photo: BCB

Although the two stalwarts have made immense contributions to Bangladesh cricket, the rift has undoubtedly affected the dressing-room environment, with insiders claiming there is a huge divide in a national camp.

"First of all, I am unaware of any such issues between Shakib and Tamim. But if I take it as a case study, I would say such a gap between two cricketers in the team needs to be sorted out. Regardless of personal relations, it is important to set everything aside for the greater interests of the team," Shakib and Tamim's mentor and prominent coach Nazmul Abedeen Fahim told The Daily Star yesterday.

However, according to another cricket official also requesting anonymity, the issue was too sensitive to be disclosed so publicly by the BCB boss.

But since the rabbit is already out of the hat, it will be important for both Shakib and Tamim to settle things for the sake of the nation. Even if they cannot be the best of friends as they seemed to be in the past, they can surely portray that they are far from the biggest enemies and, most importantly, good teammates.