Tamim Iqbal withdraws retirement after meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal has withdrawn his retirement from international cricket just 24 hours after the announcement on Thursday. The 34-year-old came out of retirement after a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The southpaw on Thursday shocked the cricket world by retiring from international cricket just three months before the ODI World Cup 2023. He called reporters in Chattogram and said he was retiring in a highly emotional press conference.

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon were present during Tamim Iqbal's meeting with PM Sheikh Hasina.

"I can decline everyone but not the Prime Minister," Tamim said. "Mashrafe Bhai had brought me while Papon bhai, too, was present at the meeting with me."

Bangladesh lost the first of their ODIs against Afghanistan by 17 runs (DLS method) on Wednesday. The opener, who has scored 8313 runs at an average of 36.62 in 241 ODI matches, scored 13 off 21 as Bangladesh could manage only 169/9 in the rain-marred match.

"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 team-mates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have been with me through my long journey.

"They kept faith in me," Tamim told reporters. "I also want to thank the fans. Your love and faith in me inspired me to give my very best for Bangladesh. I want to ask for your prayers for the next chapter of my life. Please keep me in your prayers," Tamim said announcing his decision to retire a day after the defeat.

Tamim is the third highest run-scorer in ODIs among active players, behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The Chittagong-born star retired from T20I cricket in July last year. He featured in 78 T20I matches and scored 1758 runs at an average of 24.08 and a strike rate of 117.2. He hit one hundred and seven fifties in the format. The veteran of 70 Test matches has scored 5134 runs inclduing 10 hundreds at an average of 38.89.

Bangladesh face Afghanistan in the second ODI on Saturday. With the retirement decision withdrawn now, he will most likely be seen leading the Banga Tigers once again tomorrow (July 8).