Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal announces international retirement
Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket for the second time, having previously stepped away in July 2023 during an emotional press conference.
Tamim had made his debut for Bangladesh in 2007 and went on to play 70 Tests, 243 ODIs and 78 T20Is. Tamim’s initial retirement decision in 2023 was reversed within 24 hours following the intervention of Bangladesh’s then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The former captain conveyed his decision to the Bangladesh selectors in Sylhet on Wednesday. Despite the Gazi Ashraf Hossain-led panel urging him to rejoin the national team for the upcoming Champions Trophy, Tamim remained firm on retiring. While some Bangladesh players, including captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, requested him to reconsider, he took an additional day before ultimately confirming his retirement.
“I have been away from international cricket for a long time,” Tamim wrote on Facebook. “That 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 do not want to be the focus of anyone’s attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus. Of course, I did not want this to happen before, too.”
“Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team. There were discussions with the selection committee too. I am grateful to them for still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart.”
The time has come
Tamim went on to say that the BCB waiting for his reply was unnecessary as he had removed himself from the central contract a long time ago.
“I removed myself from the BCB central contract a long time ago because I did not want to return to international cricket,” he wrote. “Many have said that I have left the matter hanging. Why would anyone discuss a cricketer who is no longer in BCB’s contracted list? I voluntarily stepped down more than a year ago.”
“Even after that, there has been unnecessary discussion. The decision to retire or continue playing is the right of a cricketer or any professional sportsman. I have given myself time. Now I feel that the time has come.”
The deadline for announcing the squads for the Champions Trophy is January 12.