Bangladesh’s left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal on Friday, announced his retirement from international cricket just a month before the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.
This is the second time that Tamim has announced to hang up his boots from international cricket, having previously announced his retirement in an emotional press conference in July 2023 before reversing his decision within 24 hours, thanks to the intervention of then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to the details, Tamim has also informed Bangladesh’s selection panel about his decision, who wanted the left-handed batter in the Tigers’ squad for the upcoming eight-team tournament.
The 35-year-old had reportedly told the Gazi Ashraf Hossain-led selection panel that he would stand by his decision but after intervention from some of the Bangladesh players including skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, he delayed his decision by a day.
"I have been away from international cricket for a long time," he 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."
Tamim also said that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) waiting for his reply was “unnecessary”, citing his decision to opt out of central contracts for 2024.
"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 left-handed batter was being considered to be selected in Bangladesh’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 due to his consistent performances in the domestic circuit and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
It is pertinent to mention that Tamim Iqbal represented Bangladesh in 70 Tests, 243 ODIs and 78 T20Is, scoring 15249 runs across formats with the help of 25 centuries and 94 fifties.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.- Tamim Iqbal
