Superstar batter with 15,249 international runs announces shocking retirement ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, says 'It was shocking for me to step away...'

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Superstar batter with 15,249 international runs announces shocking retirement ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, says 'It was shocking for me to step away...'
File Photo: Indian cricketers celebrate the dismissal of Bangladeshi batsman Tamim Iqbal (L) during an ODI match in Dhaka on 12 May 2007

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Bangladesh's superstar batter Tamim Iqbal announced his shocking retirement from international cricket

Tamim Iqbal's retirement announcement came right ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket. He made this announcement on Friday, January 10 through a social media post. Tamim Iqbal, who amassed 15,249 international runs, made the bold move after the Bangladesh selection panel requested him to consider playing for the country in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to start from February 19.

Tamim Iqbal announces retirement ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 

The deadline for announcing the Champions Trophy squads is January 12, and the BCB indicated their willingness to wait until the last moment to see if Tamim would express interest in playing. Tamim remained a potential candidate for selection due to his strong domestic performances. He has not played for Bangladesh since his last ODI appearances in September 2023, but he has consistently performed well in domestic cricket. He led his team, Fortune Barishal, to victory in the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), earning the prestigious Player of the Tournament award. Prior to this, he had also excelled in the Dhaka Premier League and the National Cricket League (NCL) T20s.

However, Tamim clearly said that BCB's approach was 'unnecessary' as he he had opted out of central contracts for 2024 precisely to remove himself from consideration for national selection.

"I have been away from international cricket for quite some time, and the gap will not be bridged. My chapter in international cricket is over. I have been reflecting on this for some time, and with the Champions Trophy ahead, I don't want discussions about me to disrupt the team's focus. I stepped away from the national contract a long time ago for this reason, although the media sometimes suggested otherwise," Tamim wrote in a Facebook post.

"For someone who hasn't been in a BCB contract for a year, there's no point in such discussions. Every cricketer has the right to decide their future, and I've taken my time to make this decision. Now, I feel the moment has arrived," his post further read.

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Almost 18 months ago, Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket at a press conference, an emotional moment where he broke down several times. Following this announcement, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally intervened, requesting Tamim to reconsider his decision. Accepting the Prime Minister's request, Tamim reversed his retirement the following day. However, he soon stepped down from his role as ODI captain. BCB subsequently selected Tamim for two ODIs against New Zealand in September 2023 as part of their preparations for the ODI World Cup. Despite these appearances, Tamim was ultimately not included in the final 15-man squad.   

Following this exclusion, Tamim publicly criticised the BCB, alleging that they had created obstacles for him in the lead-up to the squad announcement.  This controversy escalated further when then-captain Shakib Al Hasan publicly criticized Tamim, calling his actions "childish.

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"Captain Nazmul Hossain sincerely requested me to return, and I also spoke with the selection panel. I am grateful they believe I am still capable, but I followed my heart. It was shocking for me to step away before the 2023 World Cup, not for cricketing reasons. Still, wherever I went, fans expressed their wish to see me in the national team again. I deeply considered their love and support."

"My son didn't tell me directly, but he told his mother that he wants to see me in the national jersey. I'm sorry to disappoint the fans and told my son, 'When you grow older, you will understand your dad's decision," Tamim concluded.

Currently, Tamim Iqbal, who has 5134 Test runs, 8357 and 1758 runs in ODIs and T20Is respectively, is leading Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).