Tamim Iqbal again announces retirement from international cricket

Bangladesh cricket legend Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket, this is the second time he has distanced himself from the game. His first retirement came in July 2023 during an emotional press conference, a decision which he reversed within 24 hours after the intervention of Sheikh Hasina, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Tamim informed the Bangladesh selectors of his latest decision in Sylhet on Wednesday. Despite being urged by the Ghazi Ashraf Hossain-led selection panel to return for the upcoming Champions Trophy, Tamim reiterated his intention to retire. Although some of his teammates, including captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, urged him to reconsider, Tamim took an extra day to consider but ultimately stuck to his choice.

“I have been away from international cricket for a long time,” he wrote on Facebook, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over. I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now when a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming, I don't want to be the center of attention.” “This can cause the team to lose focus, I also didn't want that to happen in the first place.”

The post read, “Captain Nazmul Hussain Shanto honestly asked me to return to the team. There were also discussions with the selection committee. I am still grateful to them for considering me in the team. However, I followed my heart Is.” ,

With the deadline for announcing the Champions Trophy squad set for January 12, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was ready to wait until the last moment for Tamim's decision. Their impressive domestic form has kept them in contention. Since stepping away from the international stage, he has been active in domestic cricket, leading Barishal to victory in the 2024 BPL and earning the 'Player of the Tournament' award. He also performed admirably in the Dhaka Premier League, followed by consistent runs in the NCL T20 and the ongoing BPL season.

However, Tamim rejected BCB's long wait for his response, describing it as “unnecessary” as he had already opted out of central contracts for 2024, signaling his withdrawal from international cricket considerations.

He wrote, “I had withdrawn myself from the BCB central contract a long time ago because I did not want to return to international cricket.”

He said, “Many people have said that I have let the matter hang. Why would anyone discuss a cricketer who is no longer in the BCB contracted list? I had voluntarily stepped down more than a year ago.”

“Even after that, there has been unnecessary discussion. The decision to retire or continue playing is the right of a cricketer or any professional player. I have given myself time. Now I feel the time has come,” the post said. “