Bangladesh ODI’s skipper Tamim Iqbal revealed that he cried out in the middle of the road due to rejection during his initial stage of his career.    

Tamim, the leading run-scorer of Bangladesh, honestly admitted during a Facebook live show in Cricfrenzy that he was hurt when he was dropped from the HP side followed by a similar case while making his debut in the Dhaka Premier League.

‘’Let me tell you a small story, which probably no one knows. When the academy was first created at that time I had a very good first-class season. I scored a lot of runs and then that academy team played three-match against the national team. In that three-match, I was the highest run-scorer. But that was the first time [HP academy England tour] when I didn't get the chance in the academy team and I really don't know what was the reason till now,’’ said Tamim during the hour-long show on Frenzy.

‘’We used to stand and watch the mean team doing their practice before they were leaving. I have never been able to forget that thing. In the passage between indoor and stadium one of my coach from that time Ratan sir, he lives in England now, he was walking beside me. At that time he told me that Tamim if I were in your position with the talent of yours then I would have given a challenge that I will play for the national team within six months,’’ he said.

‘’He was saying this to me when I didn't get a chance in the academy team. When I heard that I felt good and bad both. But by the grace of Allah, I played in the national team within six months. I will not say that after hearing that I have a lot of changes in me or a lot of things happened but that hurts me, I got hurt for that,’’ he added.

Tamim added that he had a similar fortune in the DPL but fortunately Old DOHS came to his rescue.

‘’We made a deal about five-six months ago me and my brother. The two of us will play in a particular team. So the deal was done, everything was going smooth. Suddenly when the transfer occurred and if you do not sign before the transfer window closed you will not be able to play in the Premier League that year,’’ he said.

‘’So at that time, Scotland came to play with Bangladesh. They had a practice match to play against the academy team. So we had one day left to change teams and the next day we were going to Chittagong. So then we all went. There were three-four players in the academy team who were playing in that team. Meanwhile, Nafees Bhaiya talked to that team and left for another team. But I have to play in that team,’’ he said.

‘’So they took us all to Eastern Plaza. There was an official’s house, we all went there. We all got on in a micro together, we were five-six players who were going to change teams. Suddenly the micro got stopped just in front of the Eastern Plaza and they told me to get out of the car. I said why Bhai why should I get out of the car. They told me to get out of the car and talk to an official,’’ he said.

‘’I got out of the car and they left with the others, and I stood on the road. I stood up and called that official but he did not pick up the phone. I couldn't reach him in any way. Then I called my brother and told him everything. He also tried and then he quickly called me back and said, Tamim, look for any other team they will not take you,’’ he said.

‘’I swear on to God I cried while standing on the street in front of Eastern Plaza[ feeling helpless]. About a year ago, when I was passing that road, I saw the place and got out of the car and stood there just to remember that thing. So, after that Sujon Bhai [Khaled Mahmud] and Old DOHS picked me. I never imagined playing in that team because Old DoHS is a champion team,’’ he added.

‘’And that time Old DoHS team had national team opener and big names in the list, I had no chance to play. I used to stay in this Old DOHS the last house of the road number 6B. They had a camp here. I live in those camp three players in one room. Every day we have been called early in the morning. Sujon Bhai bowled a lot at that time and many were there who helped me a lot at that time. I was sure that I had no chance to play in the match. Suddenly I saw that they started to pick me for the matches ahead of national team openers, at that time I was nobody. After that tournament, I got into the national team,’’ he concluded.