DHAKA, Aug 20, 2023 (BSS)-As part of his plan to make a comeback in the national team ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, senior batter Tamim Iqbal returned to batting today as his rehabilitation process progressed significantly.

The opener suffered from a recurring back injury that even forced him to step down from the ODI captaincy. But he didn't give up the hopes of playing upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.

And to take part in the World Cup, he needs to return to International cricket as soon as it is possible. Therefore playing the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home in September is his top agenda at this moment.

Tamim came to the field around 2 pm today and after talking to the medical department, he came down to bat. The opener spent 15 minutes in the net, doing only just knocking. He in fact tried to realize the condition of his back and waist while doing the session in the net.

Physio Bayejidul Islam and rehab center head Kieron Thomas were behind the net to monitor Tamim's condition.

Tamim apparently looked comfortable while doing the soft practice and was able to play the shots, using both front foot and back foot.

He has been suffering from a back injury for a long time. But his decision to play the Afghanistan series in July despite not being hundred percent fit created uproar.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon lashed out at him in an interview with a media outlet for his decision. Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha was also understood to be perplexed with the decision that Tamim publicly revealed.

The situation got further worsened when Bangladesh lost the first match to Afghanistan with Tamim failing to do anything worthy with willow.

Amid the controversy, the star batter announced his retirement from the International cricket in a hastily arranged media conference. However after 28 hours, he reversed the decision following a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Later, in another media interview, Tamim complained of negligence regarding the treatment of his injury. BCB sent him to London for the treatment.

After returning home, he gave up the captaincy as he felt his injury would make the team unstable just ahead of the World Cup. He also skipped Asia Cup to recuperate from the injury fully. Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan replaced him as ODI captain for Asia Cup and World Cup.