Bangladesh team and Nazmul Hassan Papon. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Just after the first ODI between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, veteran opener Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket. There were reports of him having a dispute with some of the stakeholders of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and thus, the cricketer wanted to part ways with the management.
However, Sheikh Hasina, the honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, interfered and had a private chat with the cricketer and his wife. Post this, Tamim announced his decision to make a comeback. These incidents happened really quickly as Bangladesh cricket moved really fast. They suffered a series defeat at the hands of Afghanistan but the team will be content to see Tamim make his return, especially ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Meanwhile, the BCB president, Nazmul Hassan Papon, on Sunday, July 23, said that the board was ready to do everything to help Tamim regain his full fitness.
“We have been doing everything for him in the last two years as per his requirements — whether it’s at home or abroad. Now he is saying, doctor advised him that either he has to take injection or go under the knife. Fine, we will do whatever he wants. We are ready to do everything for his full recovery, there is no doubt about it,” Papon was quoted as saying by Daily Star.
Our World Cup captain is Tamim: Papon
Despite all the controversies, Nazmul Hassan Papon confirmed that Tamim will lead Bangladesh in the upcoming ODI World Cup. The administrator also added that he is not quite sure when the cricketer will be making his return but expects him to recover quickly.
“Our World Cup captain is Tamim. Liton captained the team in absence of Tamim in the last two matches (against Afghanistan). Now if Tamim comes back, then he will lead the team and if not, then someone else will lead the team. We are not sure about his return, or which match he will able to play and when he will be able to play. I cannot make any comments without any knowledge (about Tamim’s return). But we want him to return as soon as possible with full recovery,” Papon concluded.