Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has hinted at his international return. The opening batter had announced his retirement during an ODI series against Afghanistan at home just a few months prior to the ICC World Cup 2023 but changed his mind after an intervention from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Despite reversing his retirement, Iqbal made himself unavailable for selection and didn’t feature in the World Cup in India. He last played for Bangladesh in the ODIs against New Zealand in September 2023.
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Iqbal, who led Fortune Barishal to a title win at Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024, recently stated that the ‘circumstances have to be right’ if he has to play for the country again.
“I would like to say one thing clearly. For me to come back, a lot of things have to be right otherwise there’s no point for me to just come back and play,” Tamim said.
“I am at a stage of my career where I would probably play for another two years. So I need to tell them such things, and since I did not have a final talk with them, it won’t be appropriate for me to comment here.
“I haven’t spoken with him (new chief selector) yet. I was in communication with Jalal bhai (Jalal Yunus). I was available for a talk, but unfortunately, we didn’t get the opportunity. I will be travelling abroad tomorrow morning, and hopefully, after I return, we will sit,” he added.
Iqbal continues to play in the franchise leagues and captains the side Fortune Barishal in the BPL, Apart from winning the title this year, he ended the tournament as the leading scorer in the latest season with 492 runs.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who announced his retirement from T20Is in 2022, plays for the same side. Iqbal believes if Mushfiqur were to come out of retirement, the Bangladesh side would ‘benefit’ with the T20 World Cup lined up in June.
“If he (Mushfiqur) decides to make a comeback…, there are several examples of legendary cricketers who played cricket after coming back from retirement and the way he batted if he decides to make a comeback (in T20Is), it will benefit Bangladesh, and nothing can be better than that,” Iqbal concluded.
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