Bangladesh ODI captain and ace batter Tamim Iqbal, in a shocking decision, announced his retirement from international cricket just three months before the ICC World Cup 2023 begins in India.
The senior batter skipped the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month with a stiff back but made himself available for the ODI series. He featured in the first ODI on Wednesday but has now opted to call it quits with immediate effect.
He was extremely emotional and teared up as he announced his decision amidst reporters at a press conference, he arranged in Chattogram on Thursday.
Though Shakib Al Hasan captains the side in T20Is and Litton Das is the Test captain of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh side will now need to find a new captain in the ODI format.
Tamim, 34, retired from T20Is around the same time last year. And his last Test match came against Ireland in April.
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“This is the end for me. I have given my best. I have tried my best. I am retiring from international cricket from this moment. I want to thank all my team-mates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have been with me through my long journey. They kept faith in me.
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,” Tamim said in a press conference and quoted by Indian Express.
The 34-year-old batter ends his career as the leading run-getter for Bangladesh in the 50-over format after making his debut in 2007. He made 8313 runs in 241 ODIs with 14 centuries and 56 fifties at an average of 36.62 and a best score of 158.
In Tests, Tamim made 5134 runs in 70 Tests with 10 centuries and 31 fifties with a best score of 206 and an average of 38.89. In 78 T20Is, he has 1758 runs with one century and 7 fifties with the best score of 103*.
As ODI captain, Tamim has a marginally higher win percentage than Mashrafe Mortaza, who is considered Bangladesh's greatest leader. Tamim has won 21 out of 37 ODIs as captain, and he led Bangladesh to a third-place finish in the ODI Super League, ensuring their direct qualification for the World Cup this year.
He also captained Bangladesh in one Test match, against New Zealand in 2017.
