Bangladesh's star batter, Tamim Iqbal, has reversed his decision to retire, roughly 30 hours after announcing it. Tamim met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday and said he changed his mind.
On Thursday, Tamim had declared his retirement from all forms of international cricket after a controversy surrounding his fitness and some harsh comments from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan.
"I have decided to change my retirement decision," Tamim said after the meeting with the Prime Minister. "I cannot say no to the head of the country."
He said the Prime Minister had ordered him to revoke his retirement and take a leave.
During Tamim's meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday afternoon, former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and the BCB President were with him.
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For now, Tamim will be on leave from cricket for one and a half months. He is expected to make a return in the Asia Cup, scheduled to be played in August-September this year.
Everything started with a comment from Tamim ahead of the first ODI against Afghanistan on July fifth. While addressing a question regarding his fitness, Tamim said he is not fully fit but decided to play the first match to see where his fitness stands.
BCB president responded harshly to this comment of Tamim and said Bangladesh's head coach Chandika Hathurusingha also did not take Tamim's comment lightly.
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He also said that Chandika called Tamim's comment unprofessional and said “this is not gully cricket”.
All this might have moved Tamim emotionally and he came up with an abrupt retirement decision that left his teammates and BCB shattered.