Tamim Iqbal takes back resignation after being 'admonished' by Bangladesh PM
Chattogram (Bangladesh) Jul 7: A day after announcing his retirement from international cricket, Tamim Iqbal announced his return to the national side after being "admonished" by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The 34-year-old Tamim, who was leading the side against Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series, had made the retirement announcement a day after Bangladesh lost the opening game here on Wednesday.
"Today afternoon (Friday), the Prime Minister invited me to her house. She admonished me and asked me to play again, so I have decided to come out of retirement at this moment," Tamim was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
"I can say no to everyone but it was impossible for me to say no to someone of the PM's authority. (Bangladesh Cricket Board president) Papon (Nazmul Hasan) bhai, Mashrafe (Mortaza) bhai were big, big factors too. Mashrafe bhai called me here and Papon bhai was also with here.
"Prime Minister also gave me one-and-a-half months break for my treatment and other things. After becoming mentally free, I will play the rest of the matches."
A hard hitter of the ball, Iqbal has played 70 Tests amassing 5,134 runs including 10 centuries and a double ton in his 16-year career.
It was in the ODIs that his true potential was realised as a top-order batter, where the stalwart has amassed 8,313 runs in 241 games including 14 centuries -- the most for his country.
He is also the third-highest run-scorer among current cricketers, behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Iqbal's retirement had come as a surprise for Bangladesh just three months before the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
"I assumed that he took the decision emotionally," BCB president Nazmul said. "Of course it's a matter of big relief (that he has taken back the retirement). If we don't have captain, how can we play?
"I knew that if I could sit with him and talk, I could convince him. Today, we were called on by the Prime Minister. Tamim said he would withdraw his retirement letter. But he has taken one-and-a-half months leave for regaining his physical and mental fitness."
The cricketer had made his international debut in 2007 amassing 15,000 runs in international cricket, including 25 centuries and 94 half-centuries.
Iqbal had quit T20I cricket last year and played his last Test against Ireland in April.
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Several Gurugram schools receive hoax bomb threats
Gurugram (PTI): Several Gurugram schools received another hoax bomb threat emails on Wednesday morning, prompting police to launch searches on the premises.
Police said the email was sent by the 'Khalistan National Army', with threats issued to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to declare April 29 as the "40th Khalistan Declaration Day". It also threatened to bomb the Red Fort in Delhi.
Police said it was a hoax as no suspicious items were found after an intensive search.
Several schools, including Shri Ram, Amity, and the HDFC school, received threatening emails at 8.33 am, when classes had already begun, police said.
The school administrations became aware of the threats around 9 am and immediately informed the police, a senior police officer said.
The schools immediately implemented emergency protocols, with many declaring a holiday and asking parents to take their children home safely, the officer said.
A large number of anxious parents gathered outside the schools, as police and bomb squad teams reached the spots and started checks.
"Around 10 schools have approached the police from morning until now over bomb threats. Police teams are alert, and searches are underway on all the premises", the officer said.
As soon as the information about this email was received, police in Gurugram and Delhi swung into action and started investigation.
Schools immediately implemented emergency protocols upon receiving the mail. Many schools declared a holiday and sent messages to parents, asking them to take their children home. Large crowds of parents gathered outside the schools.
The schools were sanitised by sending a bomb disposal squad as well as a dog squad.
A senior police officer said that police teams thoroughly searched the school premises, classrooms, buildings, and surrounding areas. No suspicious objects or explosive materials were found during the investigation.
"Police teams are seriously investigating the entire matter. Cyber experts are being consulted to determine the authenticity of the email, its source, and the identity of the sender", added the officer.
This is the third time since January that schools have received fake bomb threats.
In March, at least a dozen schools in the city received bomb threat emails, which later turned out to be hoaxes.
Similarly, on January 28, as many as 13 schools received hoax bomb threats via email, forcing authorities to evacuate campuses and suspend classes.
Last month, police arrested a Bangladeshi national whose email ID was allegedly used to make a bomb threat for some payment.
