A day after announcing his shock retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal retraced his decision after the intervention of the country’s Prime Minister.
With less than three months to go until the 50-overWorld Cup, Tamim, Bangladesh’s leading ODI run-scorer, shocked the cricketing world when he announced his retirement on Thursday (July 6). The ODI captain, who has been sidelined due to injuries in the recent past, held a press conference and made his decision public.
However, upon intervention from Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, Tamim has overturned his decision.
The incidents leading to Tamim’s retirement
According to reports, the injured Tamim, who admitted he was not “100 per cent fit” wanted to test his fitness levels during the first Afghanistan ODI on July 5. Using an international game to gauge his fitness levels did not please the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan and coach Chandika Hathurusingha. Sources state that Tamim felt he was not needed in the international team anymore, and made the decision to hang up his boots in an emotional press conference.
What made Tamim Iqbal backtrack his retirement?
Early on Friday, the BCB president Hassan announced that he would not “accept” Tamim’s retirement announced. “I don’t accept the announcement. He is the captain, we have the Asia Cup and World Cup ahead of us. It is not a wise decision.”
According to sources, Hasina also summoned Tamim for a chat about his decision to not play for Bangladesh anymore. He met the Prime Minister on Friday (July 7), following which he took back the decision to retire. It is reported that former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza was also present at the impromptu summit.
Tamim Iqbal’s international achievements
Tamim made his debut in 2007 and has established himself as one of the finest batters in Bangladesh’s history. He is currently their highest-run-getter in ODIs and also has the most hundreds in the format. He is also the only T20I centurion from Bangladesh, though his last appearance in the format was in 2020. Tamim is also one of two batters to make more than 5,000 Test runs for Bangladesh.
