Bangladesh's most dependable opening batsman and ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal announced his unavailability for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 squad in a Facebook video message on Wednesday (September 1). The experienced opener feels it will be unfair to young players who have been performing well for the last one year and have earned a place in the T20 team. He is also unprepared for the approaching mega-event as he hasn't played T20 cricket since March 2020. In this article, we have explored five potential replacements of Tamim Iqbal in the Bangladesh team for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021. 

Tamim Iqbal's T20I Career at a Glance

Tamim Iqbal holds the majority of Bangladesh's batting records in all formats. Tamim Iqbal keeps the records for most international runs (14,155), most international centuries (24), most international half-centuries (89), and most ODI runs (7,666). Tamim also holds the record for the most runs scored in a T20I innings for Bangladesh, with 103 against Oman.

Read: BAN vs. AUS 2021: How Bangladesh Team Shapes Up Without Tamim, Mushfiqur?

Five Players Who Can Replace Tamim Iqbal in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021

5) Nurul Hasan Sohan

T20I Stats: M: 18 | Inn: 18 | Runs:  148 | HS:  30* | S/R:  119.35 | 50s: 0

Nurul Hasan Sohan may not be Bangladesh's first pick to start the innings. He is more fitted to accelerate the run rates in the middle order. However, Nurul Hasan has played at the top of the order on the domestic circuit in T20 cricket. Bangladesh's team management may opt to open the innings with Nurul Hasan if anyone fails to deliver at the T20 World Cup.

4) Mahedi Hasan

T20I Stats: M: 15 | Inn: 11 | Runs:  119 | HS:  23 | S/R:  99.16 | 50s: 0

Mahedi Hasan has a solid track record as an opener in the domestic circuit. As a result, there's no reason why he shouldn't be considered to open the innings for Bangladesh in the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2021. He is also an excellent off-spinner. Bangladesh can incorporate an extra batsman in the middle order if he plays as an opener.

Read: Tamim to skip T20 World Cup, but he's not retiring

3) Soumya Sarkar

T20I Stats: M: 61| Inn: 61| Runs:  1,105| HS:  68| S/R:  123.60 | 50s: 5

Soumya Sarkar is one of the best available options for Bangladesh in the opening position. He has been used as an opener in recent years. Unfortunately, Soumya Sarkar is inconsistent with the bat, which is why he has yet to secure his spot in Bangladesh's playing XI. However, with Tamim Iqbal out of the World Cup, Soumya will almost likely start the innings for Bangladesh.

2) Mohammad Naim

T20I Stats: M: 18 | Inn: 18 | Runs:  466 | HS:  81 | S/R:  109.90 | 50s: 2

Mohammad Naim is almost certain to start as an opener in the 2021 World Cup. However, he hasn't been able to deliver consistent results with the bat lately. This tall aggressive-minded left-hand batsman needs to step up in the World Cup. Mohammad Naim can play the anchor role in batting for Bangladesh during the mega event.

Read: Tamim to miss home series against Australia, New Zealand

1) Liton Das

T20I Stats: M: 34 | Inn: 33| Runs:  647| HS:  61| S/R:  133.40 | 50s: 4

Liton Kumar Das has been one of Bangladesh's most successful opening batsmen in recent years. He is also known for being one of country's most elegant batsmen. Liton has struggled to find his rhythm with the bat since international cricket resumed at the beginning of this year. Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar will compete for an opening spot in Bangladesh's playing XI for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.

Read:Tamim, Shohan guide Tigers to ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe

Verdict

Tamim Iqbal's T20I career stats shows that he is irreplaceable in the Bangladesh team when compared to the records of other Bangladesh top-order batsmen. Tamim Iqbal is the only Bangladesh batsman to have scored a century in all formats, and he can help to build the innings. Shakib or Mushfiqur will certainly play the anchor role for Bangladesh at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 in the absence of Tamim Iqbal. Whoever replaces Tamim Iqbal will have to play sensibly during the World Cup. Because advancing to the knockout stage would largely depend on the performance of Bangladesh's top-order batsmen.