Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Will Tamim Iqbal play in the last two Afghanistan ODIs? | Tamim Iqbal reverses decision to retire
On Friday July 7, Tamim Iqbal took back his decision to retire from international cricket, which he had announced the previous day.
Bangladesh’s ODI skipper announced a sudden retirement. Tamim called for a surprise press conference in Chattogram, where he made public his decision to hang his boots.
“This is the end for me. I have given my best. I have tried my best. I am retiring from international cricket from this moment. Yesterday against Afghanistan was my last international game. It was not a sudden decision. I was thinking about the different reasons. I don’t want to mention here. I have spoken to my family members about it. I thought this is the right time for me to retire from international cricket,” said Tamim.
In what was an emotional speech from the star batter, he thanked all those who played a part in his illustrious 16-year long international career.
“I don’t have much to say. One thing I will definitely say is, I tried my best. I did try my best. Maybe I was not good enough or good enough. I don’t know. But I tried my 100% whenever I was in the field.”
“There are a lot of other things I want to say, but as you can see I am almost unable to speak. But I hope you respect the situation. It is not an easy situation to speak. Quitting international cricket is not easy. I hope you understand. I am sorry to call you on such a short notice. I thank you all in the media,” he added.
However, the decision was not received too well by the Bangladesh Cricket Board president, Nazmul Hasan Papon. The BCB boss was of the opinion that leaving the national side at such a time, with the Asia Cup and World Cup quick approaching, would leave a massive void in their ODI setup. He was also not happy with Tamim’s decision to retire in the middle of Bangladesh’s ongoing series against Afghanistan.
“I don’t accept his retirement announcement. He is the captain, we have the Asia Cup and World Cup ahead of us. It is not a wise decision. It seems he has been thinking about it for a long time. It is not taken spontaneously. It is not a proper decision. As the World Cup is close there were no talks about change of captaincy and from a player like him when such things come, it is very unfortunate.”
“As I have sent a message I have to wait and see if he replies. I am hoping that we can sort out the matter. It does not look good if one captain retires at the midst of the tournament and it is even not right. We want to give a good farewell but even after that if they don’t want it, what can we do,” Nazmul said.
Tamim Iqbal reverses retirement, but he won’t be available for final two Afghanistan ODIs
A day after Tamim dropped the bomb, a meeting was held at the residence of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. Mashrafe Mortaza, former captain of Bangladesh and a current member of the parliament, played a vital role in arranging the same. Tamim, along with his wife, visited the the Bangladesh Prime Minister.
After the meeting, Tamim announced that he was withdrawing his decision to retire from international cricket.
“The honourable Prime Minister invited me to her residence this afternoon. We had a long discussion after which she instructed me to return to cricket. I am withdrawing my retirement. I can say no to anyone but it is impossible to say no to the most important person in the country. Mashrafe bhai called me while Papon bhai was here. They were big factors,” Tamim said.
He also announced that he will not be immediately returning to the side for the last two ODIs against Afghanistan after being allowed a six-week break for rehabilitation and recovery to complete fitness.
“The Prime Minister has also given me a break of a month and a half. I will complete my treatment and return to playing cricket,” he added.
Nazmul Hasan expressed his sense of relief after Tamim’s decision, and mentioned that he understands his decision to retire was an emotional one.
“Having seen his press conference, I knew that he was being emotional about his decision. I knew that if we could sit face-to-face, I could find a solution. We sat with him through the Prime Minister, and he just told you that he is withdrawing the retirement letter. He is not retired. He has taken a break of six weeks when he will undergo rehab and get ready physically and mentally. He will return to cricket soon.”
“Of course we are relieved. How can we play without our captain?” the BCB boss concluded.
Tamim Iqbal has scored more than 8,300 ODI runs for Bangladesh and is one of the greatest players the country has ever produced. As the 28th highest run getter in the format’s history, he is, without a doubt, instrumental to Bangladesh’s success.
Until Tamim’s return to the side, Litton Das, who was the vice-captain of the side in Tamim’s tenure, will be handed over the responsibility to lead the side.
