Tamim Iqbal announces his retirement from international cricket once again

Tamim Iqbal, one BangladeshThe world’s most prolific cricketer confirmed his retirement from international cricket with an emotional social media post on Friday. The announcement marks his second retirement from the sport after a brief return last year.

The final farewell to Tamim

In a detailed statement on his official Facebook page. Tamim Iqbal He revealed that his decision was made after a lot of thought. Despite the efforts of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to bring him back for the upcoming Champions Trophy, the former skipper remained steadfast in his selection.

“I have been away from international cricket for a long time. And that distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over. I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now with a big event like the Champions Trophy approaching, I don’t want to be the center of anyone’s attention, which might… It causes the team to lose focus, and Tamim wrote: “Of course I didn’t want this to happen before either.”

The veteran batsman praised the efforts of captain Najm Hussain Shanto and the selection committee in convincing him to reconsider his decision. However, he ultimately chose to listen to his heart.

He added: “Captain Najm Hussain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team. There were discussions with the selection committee as well. I am grateful to them because they still consider me in the team. But I listened to my heart,” he added.

Tamim Iqbal’s legacy

Tamim made his international debut in February 2007 against Zimbabwe. Over the years, he has established himself as one of Bangladesh’s most reliable batsmen. His aggressive style, especially at the top of the standings, 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 highest run-scorers in all formats. He ranks second in Bangladesh’s overall run charts, behind only O.R Thank you, Rahim. Moreover, he holds the record for the most number of international centuries by a Bangladeshi batsman.

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 then Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, who asked Tamim to reconsider.

Despite his return to the team, Tamim took a long break from international cricket. His latest decision to retire came after his meeting with the Bangladesh national team in Sylhet earlier this week. The Ghazi Ashraf Hussain-led committee urged him to make himself available for the Champions Trophy. However, Tamim remained firm.

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“I had taken myself out of my central contract with BCB a long time ago because I did not want to return to international cricket,” Tamim wrote. “Many said I left it hanging. Why would anyone discuss a cricketer who is no longer on the BCB’s contract list? I stepped down voluntarily more than a year ago.”

Cricket giant says goodbye

Tamim’s contributions to Bangladesh cricket cannot be denied. From his audacious strikes against top teams to his leadership spell as captain, he has been one of the pillars of the team’s growth. His decision to step down may leave a void, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

As Bangladesh prepares to win the Champions Trophy, they will miss the experience and aggression that Tamim brought to the field. However, his decision to retire with dignity shows his commitment to not becoming a distraction to the team.

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

With the deadline to announce the Champions Trophy teams approaching on January 12, Bangladesh are now looking to the future without one of their most famous players.

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