Bangladesh ODI captain and one of the best cricketers, Tamim Iqbal, announced on Thursday that he is taking retirement from cricket immediately.
Tamim Iqbal Khan, the captain of the Bangladesh ODI cricket team and one of the most skilled cricketers, surprised everyone by announcing his retirement immediately. This news comes just three months before the 50-over World Cup in India. The 34-year-old left-handed batsman made this decision following his team’s loss in the first ODI against Afghanistan. Tamim Iqbal said, “I am ending my cricket career now. I have given my best and tried my hardest. From this moment on, I am retiring from international cricket.”
“I want to express my gratitude to all my teammates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have supported me throughout my long journey. They believed in me,” he said.
During the press conference, he became emotional and started crying.
Known for his powerful shots, Tamim Iqbal played 70 Test matches in his 16-year career, scoring a total of 5,134 runs, which included 10 centuries and a score of over 200 runs in a single match.
It was in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) that Iqbal truly showcased his skills as a top-order batsman. In this format, he scored an impressive total of 8,313 runs in 241 matches, including 14 centuries, which is the highest number of centuries for any player from his country. Among current cricketers, he is the third-highest run-scorer, with only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of him.
“I also want to thank the fans. Your love and belief in me motivated me to give my absolute best for Bangladesh. As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I kindly request your prayers. Please remember me in your prayers,” Tamim Iqbal added in his retirement speech.
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The cricketer started playing for the national team in 2007 and scored a total of 15,000 runs in international cricket. This includes 25 centuries (scores over 100 runs) and 94 half-centuries (scores between 50 and 99 runs).
Iqbal retired from T20I cricket last year and his final Test match was played against Ireland in April.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not yet announced who will replace Iqbal in the 50-over format.
