Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket for the second time. With the 2025 Champions Trophy approaching, the left-handed batter expressed his desire to avoid being a distraction, urging the team to focus on themselves.
One of Bangladesh’s top ODI run-scorers, Tamim last played for the national team in September 2023 during the Asia Cup. He had previously retired in July 2023 in an emotional press conference but reversed his decision a day later following an intervention by then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In a Facebook post, Tamim stated that he had been contemplating retirement for a long time and has now decided to end his career.
“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 shared that Najmul Hossain Shanto genuinely wished for him to remain part of the team, saying:
“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 Iqbal bows out as Bangladesh’s all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs
The 35-year-old has amassed an impressive 8,357 runs in 243 ODIs at an average of 36.65, including 14 centuries, establishing himself as Bangladesh’s all-time leading run-scorer in the format. His contributions with the bat have been pivotal in shaping the team’s success over the years.
In addition to his batting achievements, Tamim also made his mark as a leader. As the ODI captain from 2019 to 2023, he guided Bangladesh to victory in 21 out of 37 matches, demonstrating strong tactical acumen and leadership skills.
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