Bangladesh’s opening batter, Tamim Iqbal, announced retirement from international cricket. The left-handed batter Tamim Iqbal made 387 appearances for Bangladesh across all formats of the game. Tamim Iqbal brought the curtain down on his career after scoring 15,192 runs for the country. Tamim Iqbal is the second-highest run-getter for Bangladesh in international cricket after wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim.
Bangladesh’s leading cricketer Tamim Iqbal announced on Friday that his chapter in international cricket has come to an end. The left-handed batsman recently met with the national selection panel, which is preparing the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, and had been awaiting his decision.
Tamim Iqbal also revealed that captain Najmul Hossain Shanto asked him to return to the national side. However, he decided to listen to his own heart.
Tamim Iqbal’s international career for Bangladesh cricket
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal on Friday has announced his retirement from international cricket. Tamim Iqbal had played 70 Tests, 243 ODIs and 78 T20Is for Bangladesh and has not played for the national team for more than a year. The 35-year-old Tamim Iqbal amassed 5,134 runs in 70 Tests; in ODIs, he registered more than 8,000 runs in 243 matches.
In T20Is, the left-handed batter amassed 1,758 runs. His last international match for Bangladesh came against New Zealand in September 2023. The 35-year-old has accumulated 8357 runs in 243 ODIs at 36.65 alongside 14 centuries, making him the highest run-getter for Bangladesh in the format. He also has a promising record as an ODI captain, winning 21 matches out of 37 while enduring 14 losses after captaining from 2019 to 2023.
This is the second time Tamim Iqbal has retired from international cricket, having previously called time on his career in 2023 in an emotional press conference. The 35-year-old then reversed his decision within 24 hours after intervention from Bangladesh’s now deposed prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
Tamim Iqbal through a Facebook post revealed his decision of retirement to the world and Bangladesh Cricket Board
Bangladesh legend Tamim Iqbal announces retirement from international cricket for the second time inside two years
Ex-Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement for the second time in international cricket. With the Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, the left-handed batter has revealed that he doesn’t want to be the focus of anyone’s attention. He wishes for the team to concentrate on themselves.
One of the most prolific run-getters for Bangladesh in ODI cricket, the veteran last donned the national colors in September 2023 during the Asia Cup. Tamim had retired from national duty in July 2023 as well in an emotional press conference. However, he had reversed his decision only 24 hours later after an intervention from then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Writing on his Facebook page, Tamim Iqbal declared that his career is over and he had been thinking about it for a long time.
“I have been away from international cricket for a long time,” he wrote. “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.”
The 35-year-old revealed that Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely wanted him to be part of the side, adding:
“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 southpaw continued to play domestic cricket, including winning the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) edition in 2024. He notably finished as the Player of the Tournament. There were speculations that the 35-year-old might return for the Champions Trophy for one last dance. With 8,357 ODI runs to his name, Tamim is Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the ODIs.