(Cricket news) The 34-year-old, veteran opener, broke down crying while reporting the immediate end to his international career after leading his side in Wednesday’s 17-run defeat in the first of a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Instantly on Friday, Tamim said he had a change of heart after being asked to return to the game as the Bangladeshi leader.
“I can say no to everyone except the most important person in the country,” he said outside Hasina’s official residence in Dhaka. We had a long conversation. She has instructed me to return to cricket. I am withdrawing my retirement.”
Escorting Tamim to the meeting was Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan, who earlier called Tamim’s professionalism into question for playing Wednesday’s match despite acknowledging he was not 100 per cent fit.
Tamim Iqbal was emotional while declaring his retirement on Thursday after which he reportedly met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. To everyone’s surprise, Tamim Iqbal is determined to return to playing for Bangladesh. The reversal drew reactions on social media with Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Rajasthan Royals also reacting to the same.
The statement of the withdrawal of his retirement was made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Jalal Yunus who spoke it to a news agency on Friday. Yunus quoted, Tamim had a change of heart after meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Tamim Iqbal has withdrawn his retirement conclusion, However, he will take a six-week leave to retrieve his fitness. He has been under physical and mental pressure in the past six months, which affected his performance,” the BCB director said
Tamim Iqbal as a batter has scored 8,313 runs in his 241 ODIs for Bangladesh, hitting 14 centuries making him the highest run-getter. for the Bangladesh Cricket Team and his consistency and reliability had helped the team many times in unfavourable circumstances, which could be the prominent factor of PM convincing the splendid batter to reverse his decision of quitting Internation Cricket.
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