Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal made a shock U-turn on his retirement, just a day after calling time on his international career.
In a press conference, Tamim announced his retirement on Thursday (July 6) but the southpaw reversed the decision following a meeting with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Today afternoon, the Prime Minister invited me to her house. She admonished me and asked me to play again, so I have decided to come out of retirement at this moment," Tamim said outside the PM's residence on Friday (July 7), as quoted by Cricbuzz.
"I can say no to everyone but it was impossible for me to say no to someone of the PM's authority. Papon (Nazmul Hasan) bhai, Mashrafe (Mortaza) bhai were big, big factors too. Mashrafe bhai called me here and Papon bhai was also here. Prime Minister also gave me one and a half months break for my treatment and other things. After becoming mentally free, I will play the rest of the matches," he added.
Taking to Instagram, Tamim also shared a picture of his meeting with Hasina and captioned it as: “Can't say no to the Honourable Prime Minister.”
After Tamim announced that he's played his last international game, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) called an emergency meeting and named Liton Das as captain for the last two games of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
Addressing the media, BCB President Nazmul Hasan urged Tamim to take back his "emotional" decision.
"I assumed that he took the decision emotionally," Nazmul told reporters. "Of course it's a matter of big relief. If we don't have captain, how can we play?"
"I knew that if I could sit with him and talk, I could convince him. Today we were called on by the Prime Minister. Tamim said he would withdraw his retirement letter. But he has taken one and a half months leave for regaining his physical and mental fitness."
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
