I leave national team out of emotion: Nafees

Bangladesh National Cricket team operations manager Nafees Iqbal Khan came out of the dressing room and made his way home during the 3rd ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand.

He took such decision after being informed at the morning of the 3rd ODI 26th September that I will not be part of the World Cup contingent.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was forced to remove Nafees at the behest of Shakib Al Hasan, according to a source at the board.

In response to such allegation, Shakib claimed ignorance of the matter and he said, “Actually, I am totally unaware of the news. If he quits in the middle of the game, he showed quite unprofessionalism. Both Nafees and board are responsible for it. It cannot be imagined that one can leave dressing room during an international match. I have no idea about how it happens.”

Criticizing the board’s decision, Shakib adds: “If such incident happens… I don’t know what actually happens. If such happens, then it is the proof that BCB has made a great mistake.”

Nafees cannot take the words of Shakib easily and he took to social media platform Facebook to clarify his position.

In reaction, Nafees writes: “I would like to clarify that my action of leaving the national team during the 3rd ODI against New Zealand was out of emotion as I was informed at the morning of the 3rd ODI 26th September that I will not be part of the World Cup contingent. Similar incident had happened ahead of the T20 World Cup last year.

I am also human and do carry emotion like everyone else.

I certainly did not resign from the BCB and nor my action had any relation to the ongoing situation of my younger brother Tamim Iqbal. The World Cup team was announced 6/7 hours later of my departure from the ground.

I have completely maintained the protocol and code of conduct with the board on the day. I had first shared my opinion with the head coach before coming to the field and then all the concerned BCB officials.

I ensured no job was left half done which includes signing the team sheet for the game, clearing the papers in the accounts department for the New Zealand series, returning the daily allowance that I was given for the World Cup.

I strongly believe situations as such deserve some respect and that one cannot throw his opinion without knowing the facts. 

I have been honest during my cricketing career and now as part of management of the Bangladesh national team, I ensure to give out my best output and will remain doing so.