Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza was distressed to see current One Day International captain and opener Tamim Iqbal lose all hope during his retirement saga earlier this month.
Left-handed batter Tamim had rocked the cricket world, announcing his retirement from international cricket, the reasons of which he refrained from making public.
The star Bangladesh cricketer however, had to reverse his decision after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took matters into her own hands and instructed Tamim to withdraw his retirement following a three-hour long meeting.
“The thing is I have never seen Tamim in this state before. He looked very emotional and broken [during the press conference]. That had touched me and to be honest I was very hurt and upset to see him that way. I still don't know what exactly made him take such a decision. He didn't share much with me,” said Mashrafe to the media Wednesday.
“Because he is an international player, people are also talking for him. Aren't they? So, I simply told him, ‘You can't fight that much?'. People need help at times and sometimes they break down and they feel they need support. From that perspective he is very lucky that the honorable Prime Minister personally met him, spoke to him and brought him back to cricket. Not everybody gets this support.
“The age Tamim is at now, it's time for him to perform. When he brings the country something really good, then he can leave. I think it's not only a matter of pressure from surroundings, he has to be mentally strong. I feel that Tamim should return with proper match fitness. At the same time, he needs mental preparation to be a performer and his performances will speak on his behalf.
"Apart from this, whether the coach is by his side, the cricket board is on his side or if we are on his side, such things are not expected from a cricketer like him. We won't hope that he will be thinking about who is on his side or not. We will be thinking that he is a performer who will perform and automatically everything will be on his side,” the legendary Bangladesh cricketer added.
Tamim during his meeting with the Prime Minister had requested the involvement of Mashrafe in the national team as “mentor” for the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
The discussion had taken place in presence of both Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan and Mashrafe, but no official initiative has yet been taken by the board on this issue.
Mashrafe while speaking to the media said he is still unsure on the matter.
The veteran right-arm pacer emphasized that it is something that should not be forced upon and that his involvement shall only be confirmed if the Prime Minister feels that it is required.
“I am not sure how being a mentor will help or what my work will be? Can someone [in the media] tell me? I don't know why he [Tamim] asked for it from the Prime Minister. I don't know what a mentor does. [Team's requirement] When a situation like that comes, then something can be said or done. At this moment I don't have an answer to it to be very honest,” said Mashrafe, who is an elected member of the parliament.
“If honorable Prime Minister wants it [mentor role for Mashrafe] then that's a different case. There is no room to argue on that. If a situation arises then let's see. Right now, it's important that the team stays well and plays well,” he added.