Tamim: No hate crime behind my early return home from Essex

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has assured in his official facebook page that he returned home after playing just one match for Essex Eagles due to personal reason, and not because of any hate crime. Tamim arrived in Dhaka at 6pm on Wednesday evening. Earlier, media reports suggested that, the wife of  Tamim was the target of an attempted hate crime in the United Kingdom on the night of July 10, leading the cricketer to cut short his stint with county side Essex and return home with his wife.

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

— Tamim Iqbal Khan (@TamimOfficial28) July 12, 2017

But Tamim said in his official facebook page, "I want all my fans and well wishers to know that I cut short my season with Essex to come back home early for personal reasons. Some media reported that we were the target of attempted hate crime. This is really not true. England is one my of favourite places to play cricket and Essex have been entirely gracious even though I had to leave early. I thank all my fans and well wishers for their concern and messages and look forward to going back to England for future matches." Earlier, Essex also confirmed the departure of Tamim due to personal reason in their website on Tuesday afternoon. The official website of Essex said, “Essex County Cricket Club can confirm that overseas player, Tamim Iqbal, has left the Club with immediate effect due to personal reasons. We wish him all the best and it would be appreciated if Tamim’s privacy is respected during this time.”

The Club can confirm Tamim Iqbal has departed with immediate effect due to personal reasons. https://t.co/M9sLkmJ5pF pic.twitter.com/SxFZmGFzAN — Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 11, 2017

Tamim played one match for Essex and scored seven against Kent Spitfires at Kent County Cricket Ground on Sunday.