Follow UsOn Thursday (July 6th), Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal called an emergency press conference and announced — in the middle of the Afghanistan ODI series — that he was retiring from international cricket with immediate effect, but despite the 34-year-old’s public declaration, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan is still hopeful that the batter will reconsider his retirement.
Nazmul told reporters on Thursday that he was trying to get in touch with Tamim in order to convince the veteran to do a u-turn and lead Bangladesh in the 50-over World Cup in India.
"I am trying to communicate with him since the morning and later tried with Nafees Iqbal (Tamim's brother and manager of Bangladesh team) but still could not get hold of him,” Nazmul said, reported Cricbuzz.
“At that point, I sent a message to Nafees stating that I want him to lead the side in this series and later we can sit and discuss what can be done. A legendary cricketer like him should not take hasty and emotional decision and he is very important for the team.
"As I have sent a message I have to wait and see if he replies. I am hoping that we can sort out the matter. It does not look good if one captain retires at the midst of the tournament and it is even not right. We want to give a good farewell but even after that if they don't want it, what can we do. To me he is the ODI skipper and it remains that way till now," the BCB President added.
The BCB President revealed that Tamim’s impromptu announcement shocked him, and added that it was only days ago that Tamim had told him that he plans to carry on till the Champions Trophy next year.
"The reason why we sat today is that suddenly we have seen that Tamim announced in the media that he retired. It was totally unexpected for us because we have had regular communication... and because he was the ODI skipper, even three days back we spoke with him about the squad and even today I have spoken with him," Nazmul said.
"I did not have any clue that this kind of decision can come. I have spoken with him personally about his future and he said that he will play till the next Champions Trophy and later he spoke about World Cup captaincy with Jalal bhai (BCB cricket operation chairman) and I told him that he is the captain. As the World Cup is close there were no talks about change of captaincy and from a player like him when such things (announcement of sudden retirement) come it is very unfortunate.”
On Thursday, an emotional Tamim announced his retirement from international cricket. He did not reveal the reason behind the sudden retirement decision but said that he’s given his everything, and no longer has anything to offer.
"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.
“Yesterday against Afghanistan was my last international game. It was not a sudden decision. I was thinking about the different reasons. I don't want to mention here. I have spoken to my family members about it. I thought this is the right time for me to retire from international cricket.”