Bangladesh’s legendary opener Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket, days after there were speculations that he might feature in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

With big tournaments like the Champions Trophy around the corner, there is a glimmer of hope that Tamim will return to the international scene for the final time. However, the left-handed opener decided to end his illustrious career.

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Tamim Iqbal announces retirement for second time

This is the second time that Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket after retiring in July 2023. His previous retirement was announced at an emotional press conference.

However, intervention by then-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prompted him to reverse his decision within 24 hours. Sheikh Hasina called Tamim at her residence and former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza also participated in the meeting.

The Bangladesh selection panel, led by Gaz Ashraf Hossain, had earlier asked Tamim Iqbal to return for the Champions Trophy 2025 as he is playing international level of experience. But he told them he was sticking to his decision to retire and wouldn’t change it.

He did take a day to reconsider his decision after Bangladesh captain Najmul Hussain Shanto asked him to reconsider his decision but there was no change. He announced his decision in a Facebook post, thanking everyone for their support.

Tamim Iqbal decides to stay away from trophy

Tamim claims he doesn’t want to be the center of attention at a crucial moment when the team is about to compete for the trophy. According to him, he does not want to consider himself playing international cricket as he has not played cricket at a high level for a long time.

“It has been a while since I left international cricket and the gap will not close. My chapter in international cricket has come to an end,” Tamim wrote in a Facebook post.

“I have been reflecting on this for some time, and with the Champions League coming, I did not want discussions about me to disrupt the team’s focus. For this reason I exited my national team contract very early, despite media reports that sometimes Propose the opposite,” he added.

“For someone who has not had a one-year contract with BCB, such discussions make no sense. Every cricketer has the right to decide his future and I took my time to take that decision. Now, I feel The time has come,” Iqbal claimed.

“Captain Nazmul Hussain sincerely asked me to return and I also spoke to the selection panel. I am grateful that they believed I still have the ability, but I followed my heart,” he revealed.

“For me, it was a shock to leave before the 2023 World Cup for reasons other than cricket. However, wherever I went, the fans expressed their desire to see me in the national team again. I am deeply Considered their love and support,” the Bangladesh opener added.

“My son didn’t tell me directly, but he told his mother that he wanted to see me wearing the national team jersey. I was sorry to disappoint the fans and told my son, ‘When you grow up, you will understand Dad’s idea. Decision,” he concluded.

Prolific statistics in international cricket

Tamim Iqbal retires as Bangladesh’s second most prolific batsman across all formats. He has scored 15192 runs in all formats at an average of 35.41, including 20 centuries and 82 fifties. He is second only to Mushqiqur Rahim among the highest run-scoring players in the country’s history.

With 5134 runs in 70 games, he is Bangladesh’s second highest scorer in Test cricket. In ODIs, he is Bangladesh’s highest run-scorer with 8357 runs in 243 games at an average of 36.65 and a strike rate of 78.52, including 1400 runs.

Tamim Iqbal, who is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League 2025, has scored 161 runs in five games at an average of 40.25 and a strike rate of 151.88, ahead of Fortune Barishal.