Tamim Iqbal skips India series

Bangladesh seasoned campaigner and reliable opening batsman Tamim Iqbal decided not to play in the next-month's India series citing personal reasons, reports UNB.

Tamim Iqbal, who is also suffering a rib injury, had informed the BCB that he and his wife Ayesha Siddiqa are expecting a baby in November and he intended to spend the next few weeks with his wife in Bangkok.

Tamim missed Bangladesh's home Test against Afghanistan and the last month's Tri-Nation T20 series also involving Zimbabwe as he requested for a break from all cricket since Bangladesh's tour of Sri Lanka in July.

He returned to play this month in a first-class match for Chittagong Division in the National Cricket League, before picking up the injury ahead of the second game.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yet to announce the replacement of Tamim officially. But, reliable sources told the news agency that Imrul Kayes will replace him.

Bangladesh is slated to play a three-match T20 and two-match Test series in India next month. The first T20 will take place on November 03.

After the T20s series, the Tigers will lock horns with their giant rivals India in two-match Test series where India has been approving the touring Bangladesh to play more than one Test for the first time.

The first Test will be held in Indore from November 14, and the second and last Test will start from November 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Tamim is the second player to miss the tour after all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who was ruled out from the ensuing series with a back injury. No replacement has been named for the bowling all-rounder yet.