Tamim Iqbal denies reports of hate crime against family in England, says leaving for ‘personal reasons’

Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal on Wednesday clarified the reason for him leaving English County side Essex after playing just one match. It was reported in the Bangladeshi media that the prolific batsman had quit because of a hate crime against him and his family. Tamim, though, emphatically denied such claims.

The 28-year-old — Bangladesh’s highest international run scorer with more than 10,000 to his name in all forms of the game — signed only last week for an eight game stint in the T20 Blast county competition. A report in Bangladesh’s The Daily Star had stated that a horrific incident happened when Tamim was dining with his wife Ayesha Siddiqa, who wears a hijab, and their one-year-old son. The paper claimed the trio were chased out of the restaurant and had acid thrown at them, but they managed to escape unhurt.

Tamim took to Twitter to reveal the real reason for his exit. “Some reports of attempted hate crime against my family NOT true. Season at Essex shortened for personal reasons. #lovecricketinEngland,” he wrote.

Here’s Tamim’s tweet:

Some reports of attempted hate crime against my family NOT true. Season at Essex shortened for personal reasons.#lovecricketinEngland

— Tamim Iqbal Khan (@TamimOfficial28) …read more