Tamim Iqbal again announces his retirement from international cricket

Tamim Iqbal, one of the BangladeshThe most prolific cricketers of , has confirmed his retirement from international cricket through a heartfelt post on social media on Friday. The announcement marks his second retirement from the sport after a brief comeback last year.

Tamim’s final farewell

In a detailed statement on its official Facebook page, Tamim Iqbal revealed that his decision was made after much contemplation. Despite efforts by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to bring him back for the upcoming Champions Trophy, the former skipper remained firm on his choice.

“I have been away from international cricket for a long time. This distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over. I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming up, I don’t want to focus on ‘nobody’s attention, which could cause the team to lose focus. Of course, I didn’t want that to happen before, either,” Tamim wrote.

The veteran batsman acknowledged the efforts of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and the selection panel to persuade him to reconsider his decision. However, he ultimately chose to listen to his heart.

“Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to come back to the team. There were also discussions with the selection committee. I am grateful to them that they are still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart,” has added

The legacy of Tamim Iqbal

Tamim made his international debut in February 2007 against Zimbabwe. Over the years, he established himself as one of Bangladesh’s most reliable batsmen. His aggressive style, especially at the top of the order, was instrumental in many of the team’s historic victories.

With 70 Tests, 243 ODIs and 78 T20Is under his belt, Tamim ranks as one of Bangladesh’s top run-scorers across all formats. It ranks second in the overall ranking, only behind Bangladesh Mushfiqur Rahim. He also holds the record for the most international centuries by a Bangladeshi batsman.

The emotional roller coaster

Tamim’s relationship with international cricket has been turbulent. His first retirement came in July 2023, during an emotional press conference. However, this decision was quickly reversed after the intervention of the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who asked Tamim to reconsider.

Despite returning to the team, Tamim took an extended break from international cricket. His final decision to retire came after a meeting with the Bangladesh selectors in Sylhet earlier this week. The group led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain urged him to be available for the Champions Trophy. Still, Tamim remained determined.

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“I pulled out of the BCB central contract a long time ago because I didn’t want to go back to international cricket,” Tamim wrote. “Many have said that I have left the matter pending. Why would anyone talk about a cricketer who is no longer on BCB’s contracted list? I voluntarily resigned over a year ago.”

A cricketing giant says goodbye

Tamim’s contributions to Bangladesh cricket are undeniable. From his fearless knocks against top teams to his leadership stint as captain, he has been a pillar of the team’s growth. His decision to step away may leave a void, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

As Bangladesh prepare for the Champions Trophy, they will miss the experience and aggression that Tamim brought to the field. However, his decision to retire with dignity demonstrates his commitment not to become a distraction to the team.

“The decision to retire or continue playing is the right of a cricketer or any professional sportsperson. I have given myself time. Now I feel the time has come,” Tamim concluded.

With the January 12 deadline to announce squads for the Champions Trophy, Bangladesh will now look to the future without one of their most famous players.

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