In a stunning turn of events, Bangladeshi cricket icon, Tamim Iqbal, has rescinded his bewildering retirement from the sport following a crucial rendezvous with the esteemed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Having led his team to a hard-fought but unfortunate 17-run defeat against Afghanistan in the first match of a gripping three-match one-day series, the seasoned opener, Tamim Iqbal, broke down in tears during an emotionally charged press conference, abruptly declaring an end to his illustrious international career.
However, on a subsequent day, Jalal Yunus, director of the esteemed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), conveyed to the AFP news agency that Tamim had undergone an astonishing change of heart subsequent to his meeting with Prime Minister Hasina at her abode in the capital city, Dhaka.
“Tamim Iqbal has retracted his previously announced retirement decision,” Yunus exclaimed.
“Nevertheless, in order to regain his physical vigor, he will be granted a six-week respite. Over the past six months, he has endured both physical and mental duress, which has adversely impacted his performance,” Yunus further added.
Meanwhile, Tamim took to his Instagram account, sharing an image of himself alongside Hasina, accompanied by a caption that read, “One simply cannot decline the request of the Honorable Prime Minister.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuZXQG2JBM_/
The press conference held by Tamim on Thursday triggered a vehement backlash from the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Nazmul Hassan, who cast aspersions on the batsman’s professionalism, questioning his decision to play the match despite acknowledging his less-than-optimal fitness level.
The 34-year-old athlete’s audience with the prime minister transpired mere hours after wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das was appointed as the captain for the remaining matches against Afghanistan. Prior to this announcement, Liton expressed the team’s profound surprise at Tamim’s resignation.
“None of us could fathom the impending decision,” Liton shared with the press. “Tamim has dedicated himself to the Bangladesh team for countless years, contributing significantly to our successes.”
Tamim embarked on his international journey in 2007, commencing with a riveting One Day International (ODI) match against Zimbabwe. Later that year, he skyrocketed to prominence by delivering a match-winning half-century in Bangladesh’s triumphant encounter against India in the World Cup, held in the West Indies.
Over the course of his career, Tamim amassed an impressive average of 36.62 in 241 ODIs, securing the record for the highest number of runs (8,313) and hundreds (14) among all Bangladeshi players. Among the current cricket luminaries, Tamim stands as the third-highest run-scorer, surpassed only by India’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Moreover, Tamim’s indomitable spirit shone through in the test format as well, with the maestro accumulating a staggering 5,134 runs across 70 matches, marking the second-highest total for Bangladesh. Furthermore, he also showcased his prowess in 87 T20 internationals, contributing 1,758 runs before retiring from the format in July 2022.
With his retirement plans thwarted for now, Tamim Iqbal’s undying passion for the sport continues to burn brightly, much to the delight of his adoring fans and the cricketing fraternity at large.
