Star player with 15,249 International runs announces shock retirement before Champions Trophy 2025

Bangladesh’s renowned cricketer Tamim Iqbal has revealed his decision to retire from international cricket just before the Champions

New Delhi: Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal has confirmed his retirement from international cricket. He shared the news on Friday, January 10, via a social media update. With 15,249 international runs to his name, Tamim decided to step down after the Bangladesh selection committee asked him to reconsider playing for the nation in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19.

The deadline for finalizing Champions Trophy squads is January 12, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had expressed their willingness to wait until the last moment to see if Tamim would reconsider playing. Despite his absence from international cricket since September 2023, Tamim remained a potential candidate due to his strong domestic form. He captained Fortune Barishal to victory in the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he was named Player of the Tournament. Additionally, he had impressive performances in both the Dhaka Premier League and the National Cricket League (NCL) T20s.

Tamim, however, made it clear that the BCB’s approach was “unnecessary,” as he had intentionally declined the central contracts for 2024 to exclude himself from being considered 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.

Nearly 18 months ago, Tamim Iqbal made a tearful announcement about his retirement from international cricket during a press conference. Following this emotional decision, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally urged Tamim to rethink his choice. Responding to her plea, Tamim decided to withdraw his retirement the very next day. However, he soon stepped down as the ODI captain. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later selected him 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.

After being left out, Tamim Iqbal openly criticized the BCB, accusing them of making it difficult for him in the lead-up to the squad announcement. The situation intensified when the then-captain Shakib Al Hasan openly labeled Tamim’s actions as “childish.”

“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.