Nazmul Hasan asks Tamim to reconsider 'emotional and hasty' retirement call

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan is hoping Tamim Iqbal will reconsider his retirement decision and return to international cricket, remarking that his sudden decision to pull the plug on his career was surprising as well as disappointing.

Tamim, who was expected to lead the side at this year's ODI World Cup in India, quit the game after the opening ODI of the ongoing series against Afghanistan and barely three months before the mega event.

Nazmul sat with his board directors in an emergency meeting at a city hotel and later informed media that the board was expecting Tamim to return as he was yet to retire 'officially'.

"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 told reporters following the meeting.

"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," Nazmul said.

"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. 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," he said.

"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," he said

"To me he is the ODI skipper and it remains that way till now," he added.

As reported by Cricbuzz, Litton Das will lead the side in Tamim's absence in the remaining two ODIs against Afghanistan and Nazmul revealed that it remained the plan for the time being.

"If he [Tamim] does not play vice-captain will run the show and Litton is there as vice-captain," he said. "We want him to return after changing his decision and he did not resign to us, rather whatever we are hearing, was said in the media," he added.

Meanwhile, Nazmul brushed aside allegations that his remarks following Tamim's announcement ahead of the opening ODI that he would play despite not being hundred percent fit played a part behind the sudden decision of retiring from international cricket.

It is said that Tamim was hurt when Nazmul Hasan pointed fingers at his integrity while telling a Bengali Daily that coach Chandika Hathurusingha was angry after seeing Tamim deciding to play despite not being hundred percent.

"It is out of question (that my remark played a part). Do you feel this kind of decision can be made all of a sudden before the Asia Cup and World Cup, what are you saying? I feel it is an emotional decision though he said that he has taken the decision after thinking for a while and talking with his family," said Nazmul.

"I feel there is some factor and if we can know it, it will be good for the cricket board. At the same time I would be happy if he changes his mind as he is an important member of the ODI side.

"There is no reason that it won't have an impact on the team and I feel already there is an impact. Not only this series there is Asia Cup and World Cup in the coming days and when we were thinking that Bangladesh could do well in the World Cup, at this point of time I feel this kind of decision is harmful for us," he concluded.