Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from International cricket with immediate effect, on Thursday, July 6. He addressed a press conference to inform his decision. The shocking decision has come in the middle of Bangladesh’s ODI series with Afghanistan, and just a few months before the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
Tamim Iqbal made his International debut in February 2007 against Zimbabwe at Harare. He has represented Bangladesh in 70 Tests, 241 ODIs and 78 T20I matches. He has scored 15205 International runs, at an average of 35.19, with 25 centuries and 94 fifties. Announcing his retirement from International cricket, Tamim Iqbal broke down during the press conference.
“This is the end for me. I have given my best and tried my best. I am retiring from international cricket at this moment,” Tamim said.
“Yesterday against Afghanistan was my last international game. It was not a sudden decision. I was thinking about the different reasons. Don’t want to mention it here. I have spoken to my family members about it. I thought this is the right time for me to retire from international cricket,” he added.
An icon of Bangladesh cricket 🇧🇩
Tamim Iqbal announces his international retirement 👉 https://t.co/47EUHy1XmB pic.twitter.com/N587NJRcWI
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 6, 2023
I tried my best: Tamim Iqbal gets emotional during the press conference
Bangladesh batter Tamim Iqbal got emotional and was in tears during the press conference. He thanked the people who supported him during his cricketing journey. He also expressed that he played cricket to fulfil his father’s dream. Speaking at the press conference, Tamim Iqbal said,
“I need to thank a few people, which they deserve. (Pauses, and takes a deep breath). I have always said that I played cricket (long pause, deep breath) to fulfil my father’s dream. So I am not sure how much I have made him proud throughout these 16 years of my international career.”
“I don’t have much to say. One thing I will definitely say is, I tried my best (sobbing). I did try my best. Maybe I was not good enough or good enough. I don’t know. But I tried my 100% whenever I was in the field,” he added.
I also want to thank the fans. Your love and faith in me inspired me to give my very best for Bangladesh. I want to ask for your prayers for the next chapter of my life. Please keep me in your prayers,” said Tamim Iqbal.
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