Tamim Iqbal Reflects on Retirement: Heeding His Heart Over Team's Call
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New Delhi, Jan 11 (NationPress) Former Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal disclosed that both the current captain Najmul Hasan Shanto and the selection committee encouraged him to make a comeback to the national team. Nevertheless, the 35-year-old decided to heed his inner feelings and announced his retirement from international cricket.
Tamim chose to bring closure to his remarkable international journey in an emotional Facebook post, marking an impressive career that spanned over 16 years. With 387 matches across formats and an astonishing 15,192 runs to his credit, he is regarded as one of the most legendary and prolific cricketers in Bangladesh's cricketing history.
"Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto genuinely requested me to return to the squad. There were conversations with the selection committee as well. I am thankful to them for still considering my inclusion. However, I chose to follow my heart," Iqbal stated.
Tamim Iqbal retires as one of the greatest cricketers Bangladesh has ever produced. His journey commenced with a remarkable debut in 2007, swiftly establishing himself as a reliable opener for the Tigers. Throughout the years, he exhibited unmatched consistency at the top of the order, playing a crucial role in various historic wins for his nation.
In the Test arena, Tamim accumulated 5134 runs in 70 Tests at an average of 38.89, which includes ten centuries and 31 half-centuries. His dynamic stroke play against some of the world's best bowlers set him apart, making him Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket.
In One Day Internationals, the left-handed batsman was a giant, scoring 8357 runs in 243 matches at an average of 36.65, featuring 14 centuries and 56 fifties. His knack for stabilizing innings or accelerating when necessary made him a vital part of Bangladesh's ODI framework.
In the T20 format, Tamim’s versatility was evident as he gathered 1758 runs in 78 matches at a strike rate of 116.96, including a century, which marked Bangladesh’s first-ever in T20 Internationals.
Tamim’s retirement journey has been marked by many ups and downs. In July 2023, he startled the cricketing community by announcing his retirement mid-series, only to retract the decision a day later after talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
However, ongoing injuries and a lengthy absence from international play eventually led him to step back from the sport. His final appearance was against New Zealand in September 2023.
