Tamim Iqbal rescinded his surprise retirement today in a surprising move.
After meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this afternoon, he decided to revoke his retirement plan.
Tamim was joined to the Premier’s official Ganabhaban mansion by his wife, former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, and BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon.
“The honourable Prime Minister invited me to her residence. She rebuked me for my decision and asked me to play again. I can say no to everyone, but it is impossible to say no to someone like PM. So, I have come out from the retirement,” Tamim said today outside the PM residence.
He also said that the PM gave him one month and half months break from the cricket for his treatment.
“I spent some times with PM. My wife, Mashrafe bhai and Papon bhai were with me.
Mashrafe bhai called me and Papon bhai is also here. They are the big factors (to withdraw the retirement decision). PM gave me one and half months break from the cricket for my treatment and other things.”
Tamim will return to cricket at the Asia Cup, although it is unclear if he would return as captain or as a player.
Tamim’s retirement from international cricket came as a surprise just three months before the World Cup.
He didn’t explain why he made the decision at the age of 34. However, it is thought that the BCB president’s statement played a significant part in his choice.
Tamim has recently been dealing with a back problem. He missed the one-off test against Afghanistan due to this condition. He also complained about a tight back prior to the ODI series, but claimed he would gauge his fitness by playing the first ODI.
However, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan chastised Tamim for making this statement.
He questioned Tamim’s integrity in an interview with local media, adding that international cricket is not a gully game where a player can check his fitness by playing here.
Papon, who described Tamim’s retirement as dramatic and abrupt, was relieved when the opener rescinded it.
