Retirement from International Cricket has been announced by Bangladesh player Tamim Iqbal

Tamim Iqbal has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the second time he has stepped away from the game. He initially retired in July 2023 during an emotional press conference, only to reverse his decision within 24 hours after the intervention of Bangladesh’s then-prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.

Tamim informed the selectors of his decision during a meeting in Sylhet on Wednesday. Despite requests from the Gazi Ashraf Hossain-led panel and team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to reconsider his decision, Tamim chose to follow his heart. In a subsequent Facebook post, he clarified his stance by writing, “I have been away from international cricket for a long time, and that distance will remain,” I’ve finished my international cricket career. With a big competition like the Champions Trophy approaching, I don’t want to take my attention away from the squad.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had kept Tamim in contention for the Champions Trophy squad and was willing to wait until the January 12 deadline for his response. However, Tamim emphasized that their wait was unnecessary as he had already stepped away from the central contract in 2024 to signal his intent to retire. Despite strong performances in domestic cricket, including being named Player of the Tournament in the 2024 BPL and maintaining consistent form in other competitions, Tamim remained steadfast in his decision.

Reflecting on past events, Tamim acknowledged the turmoil surrounding his career, particularly ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. After being omitted from the squad despite efforts to prepare him for the tournament, Tamim publicly criticized the BCB, and his relationship with then-captain Shakib Al Hasan became strained.

In his post, Tamim expressed gratitude to fans and acknowledged his son’s wish to see him play for Bangladesh again. “I apologize to my son and the fans for being let disappointed. I’ve told him, ‘One day, when you grow up, you’ll understand your father.” With this, Tamim closes a storied international career on his own terms.