DHAKA: Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal has left London on way to Dhaka, discontinuing playing in England county cricket, after facing an attempted attack accompanied with his wife in United Kingdom.
Earlier, on Monday night (July 10), miscreants attempted an attack upon Tamim and his wife Ayesha Siddiqa when the couple was on way to their residence in London after dining at a restaurant.
However, Tamim and Ayesha ran away immediately and saved themselves from the possible attack.
Feeling embarrassed over the incident, Tamim halted his participation in NatWest T20 Blast league, as an overseas player on side of the club Essex Eagles.
He was previously scheduled to play some 8-9 matches on side of Essex. But now the dashing left-arm opener of Bangladesh quit the domestic T20 competition of England run by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), after playing only one match this time.
Earlier, Tamim-Ayesha along with son Arham reached London on July 7. They also rented a house there for staying one month.
However, sources from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said that a group of men chased Tamim and Ayesha on that night in London.
It was also learned that the men attempted to hurl acid towards them.
However, where the incident took place in London isn’t confirmed yet.
Preferring anonymity, an expatriate in Bangladeshi community in London said that the incident of harassing people is rising recently in London. Tamim and the family is the latest victim of similar kind of attack.
Meanwhile, Essex County Cricket Club posted an update at their official website saying that Tamim has quit the club for ‘personal reasons’.
“Overseas player, Tamim Iqbal, has left the Club with immediate effect due to personal reasons. We wish him all the best and it would be appreciated if Tamim’s privacy is respected during this time”, Essex posted an update.
However, in 2011, Tamim stepped into his county career with Nottinghamshire Outlaws.
BDST: 1002 HRS, JUL 12, 2017
SI