Bangladeshi cricket ace Tamim Iqbal has announced he's hanging up his international boots permanently, putting an end to the speculations that have swirled around his career. On January 10, 2025, Tamim broke the news through a heartfelt Facebook post, marking the second time he's taken this step. His first retirement in July 2023 was short-lived, lasting only a day before then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina convinced him to continue.
This time, Tamim remains steadfast in his decision. Despite requests from the current team captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board's selection committee urging him to return for the 2025 Champions Trophy, Tamim has opted not to re-enter the fray. He believes his return might overcomplicate team dynamics, stating that maintaining the squad's focus is his top priority.
Known for his stellar performance on the cricket field, Tamim boasts an impressive 15,192 runs in 387 matches in his career. This includes over 5,134 runs in Test matches, more than 8,000 runs in ODIs, and 1,758 runs in T20 International matches. His international journey concluded after a match against New Zealand in September 2023.
Although Tamim showed exceptional form in domestic cricket, clinching the Player of the Tournament title in the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League and displaying consistency in the Dhaka Premier League and National Cricket League T20s, this didn't sway his decision. His exclusion from the 2023 ODI World Cup became a turning point. The omission was a blow, one that he called a 'big shock,' shifting his view on potential returns to the international scene.
Moreover, Tamim shared a poignant message addressed to his son, expressing that while his son may wish to see him on the pitch, understanding his father's decision will come with time. At 35, he's decided to focus on life beyond international cricket, upholding the words with, 'The day you grow up, you will understand your father.'
