All the anxieties with the retirement of Tamim Iqbal from international cricket was over when he withdrew his decision after meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday.
Following the sudden announcement of retirement from international cricket ahead of the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup 2023, there was huge talk about his shock retirement, and finally, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on Tamim on Friday.
Tamim Iqbal, the all-time best opener of Bangladesh cricket, who all of a sudden announced his retirement from international cricket in a press conference in Chattogram on Thursday, informed the reporters after meeting with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gono Bhaban on Friday that he withdrew his decision.
Tamim, who met the Prime Minister accompanied by BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon and former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, talked to the reporters.
Tamim in his immediate reaction said, “I can decline everyone, but not the Prime Minister.”
“Mashrafe Bhai had brought me while Papon Bhai, too, was present at the meeting with me.”
“Today (Friday) the Prime Minister invited me to the Gono Bhaban. We had a long discussion with her. She ordered me to return to play, right now I withdrew my retirement, because I can refuse everybody, but it’s quite impossible for me to say no to the top most personality of the country,” said Tamim right after getting out from the Gono Bhaban.
“Of course, Mashrafe Bhai and Papon Bhai played big roles in this. Mashrafe Bhai called me and Papon Bhai was also with us. The Prime Minister also granted me a leave of absence for one and a half months.”
Tamim after giving his reaction said, “Now Papon Bhai will talk to you.”
President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Nazmul Hassan Papon said, “After watching his press conference on Thursday, I had an impression, maybe he took the decision being emotional.”
“I had a belief that if we sat together, we could find a solution. Today, through the honorable Prime Minister we sat together with him and he told you that he pulled out the retirement letter he submitted and withdrew his decision.”
Papon also said that Tamim's comeback is a great relief, as he said, "Of course, it is a great relief for all, if we have no captain how we will play. But as he is not fit mentally and physically, he took one and a half months, I hope he will return after recovery."
