Former Bangladesh one-day captain Tamim Iqbal. – Reuters
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket, saying he does not want to be a distraction to the team ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Tamim made his international debut in 2007 in a one-day international (ODI) match against Zimbabwe in Harare. He has played 243 ODIs, 70 Tests and 78 T20 Internationals (T20Is).
Tamim had previously retired from international cricket a few months before the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023, but reversed that decision in a day. Then he missed the World Cup due to a back injury.
The 35-year-old has scored over 15,000 runs in all formats and hit 25 centuries – the most by a Bangladeshi batsman. He last played for Bangladesh in a 2-0 ODI series defeat at home to New Zealand in September 2023.
“I have been away from international cricket for a long time. This distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over,” he wrote in a social media post.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Now with a big event like the Champions Cup approaching, I don’t want to be the center of anyone’s attention, which could cause the team to lose focus.”
The Champions Cup will be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. Bangladesh is in Group A alongside host and defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and India.
Tamim added: “Captain Najm Hussain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team (for the Champions Cup).”
“There were discussions with the selection committee as well. I’m grateful to them that they still consider me in the team. However, I listened to my heart.”