Saga of Tamim's retirement drama

|| CF CORRESPONDENT ||

Tamim Iqbal stunned the cricket community and fans worldwide when he reversed his decision to retire from international cricket. Despite announcing his retirement, he quickly flipped his decision within 30 hours. 

This unexpected change of heart caused significant figures to intervene, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon, and former captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who pushed on Tamim's return to the team.

Here is the timeline of the whole retirement saga:

Bangladesh skipper Tamim was still not "100%" fit to play the ODI series but nonetheless planned to take the field in the first ODI against Afghanistan on July 5.

"I am available for tomorrow. I am better, but I am not 100%," Tamim told reporters.

"I need to see how much I can cope with. I am not going to do anything that makes the team suffer," he added.

Tamim managed to score only 13 off 21 balls in that match, later it was learned that the coach and BCB President were miffed with Tamim for taking part in the first ODI despite not being fully recovered from injuries.

Tamim stuns everyone with shocking international retirementent:

After an unexpected turn of events, Tamim Iqbal called a press conference the next morning and announced to retire from international cricket, just three months before the start of the World Cup in India. 

"Yesterday's ODI against Afghanistan was my last international match," an emotional Tamim said. "I am retiring from international cricket with immediate effect. It's not a sudden decision. I had been thinking about it for a while and discussed it with my family."

"This is the end for me. I have given my best. I have tried my best. I am retiring from international cricket from this moment. I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have been with me through my long journey," he said

BCB's midnight press brief:

Not only within the cricket fraternities but the news became talk of the country throughout the day. Deep at night the saga got another twist as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) called for an emergency meeting. BCB president Nazmul Hassan sat with board directors at a Dhaka hotel in that meeting.

BCB president Nazmul Hasan requested Tamim Iqbal reconsider his retirement decision and return to the team ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. 

According to him Tamim is still the ODI captain in view of BCB but if the southpaw does not continue the captaincy for any reason, Litton Kumar Das will lead the side.

The board president said, “To us Tamim is the ODI captain. That fact remains true so far. If Tamim does not play for any reason, vice-captain Litton will lead the side.’’

He further added, “Our plan for Tamim is to chang his decision and come back. He did not submit his resignation to us.’’

Prime Minister's involvement:

On Friday, Tamim held a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon, and former captain Mashrafe Mortaza on Friday at Gono Bhaban.

Tamim was reinstated and forced to return to the team and was also given a mental break of one and a half months before returning to cricket.

"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," Tamim told the media.

"She [PM] has asked me to change my decision. She has given me a leave of a month and a half so that I can be mentally free," he added.

Tamim will be back to lead the team in the Asia Cup which will begin on 31 August. Litton Das, the designated vice-captain, will stand in for Tamim in the remaining two ODIs against Afghanistan.