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Tamim Iqbal Announces Retirement from International Cricket Ahead of Champions Trophy

This marks Tamim's second retirement announcement; he had previously declared his retirement in July 2023

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, stating that he did not want to be a distraction for the team ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. 

The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan from Feb. 19 to March 9. Bangladesh is in Group A, alongside hosts and defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand, and India.

Tamim debuted in a One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe in 2007. He played a total of 243 ODIs, 70 Tests, and 78 T20 internationals (T20Is).

As Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in ODIs, he amassed over 8,357 runs in this format alone, contributing significantly to the team’s success over the years.

Tamim Iqbal announced his decision on January 10, 2025, through a heartfelt post on Facebook, expressing his decision after contemplating it for a long time. Tamim emphasized that he wanted to avoid drawing attention to himself during a critical time for the team, which could potentially disrupt their focus on the tournament.

“I have been away from international cricket for a long time. That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over,” he wrote in a post on social media.

“I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming up, I do not want to be the focus of anyone’s attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus.”

“Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team (for the Champions Trophy),” Tamim added.

“There were discussions with the selection committee too. I am grateful to them for still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart.”

This marks Tamim’s second retirement announcement; he had previously declared his retirement in July 2023 but reversed that decision shortly after due to intervention from political figures.

Despite being approached by the current captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and the selection committee to return for the Champions Trophy, Tamim chose to adhere to his decision to retire, stating that he had been away from international cricket for an extended period and felt it was time to close this chapter of his career.

In his statement, he acknowledged the support from fans and teammates but reiterated that he wanted to prioritize the team’s performance over personal considerations. He also mentioned that he had opted out of central contracts with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) well before this announcement, indicating his intention to step away from international cricket

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