Bangladesh’s highest ODI run getter and presently the captain from the side, Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement. It’s a shocking decision since only three months remain for the World Cup and his retirement news hurts many of his fans.
The 34 -year captain started his journey in 2007 and his knock against India in that World Cup where he scored a half century makes his name. He is considered the best Captain for his side having won 21 games in 37 matches. His winning percentage is 60, which is higher than Musrafe Mortaza who is having only 58 percent.
Just three months remaining for the WC23 and they need a new captain. Shakib Al Hasan is already captaining the Test and T20 format, and he is expected to be the new captain. Bangladesh will meet Afghanistan on 7th October at Dharamshala in their 1st World Cup match.
Tamim Iqbal International Stats:
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | |
| Test | 70 | 134 | 5134 | 38.89 | 206 | 10 | 31 |
| ODI | 241 | 239 | 8313 | 36.62 | 158 | 14 | 56 |
| T20 | 78 | 78 | 1758 | 24.08 | 103 | 1 | 7 |
During the press conference he started crying when he announced his retirement. He said,
“This is the end for me. I have given my best. I am retiring from international cricket from this moment. Yesterday against Afghanistan was my last international game. It was not a sudden decision. I was thinking about the different reasons. I don’t want to mention it here. I have spoken to my family members about it. I think this is the right time for me to retire from international cricket.
….I need to thank a few people that I need to thank. My youngest uncle, his name is Akbar Khan. I hold his hands to go to my first cricket tournament. I thank him and his family. I thank Tapan da, a coach in MA Aziz Stadium, who was my coach in my childhood. I thank all the players who played with from the U-13, U-15, U-17, U-19, A Team, Premier League, NCL and National Team. Especially my national team colleagues. The cricket board gave me the opportunity to represent the country for so long. I have captained Bangladesh too. I thank them as well.
….I didn’t have much to say. One thing I definitely say is, I tried my best. I did try my best. Maybe I was not good enough or good enough, I don’t know. But I tried 100% whenever I was in the field.
….There are a lot of other things I want to say, but as you see I am unable to speak. But I hope you respect the situation. It is not an easy situation to speak. Quitting international cricket is not easy. I hope you understand. I am sorry to call you on such short notice. I thank you all in the media.
….I also want to thank the fans. Your love and faith in me inspired me to give my very best for Bangladesh. I want to ask for your prayers for the next chapter of my life. Please keep me in your prayers.
….I am sorry if I missed anyone to thank. But whoever has helped me to grow as a cricketer and human being, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My brother, my mother, my wife and my two children. They suffered a lot in my journey. They also had much to cherish. I thank them as well. I have nothing more to say.
…..Please end my topic here, it is the end. At least for international cricket. Let’s not poke too much about it. ‘Why, why, what is it, what else could have happened, Let’s put an end to this. I have always said that the team is bigger than any individual. Lets focus on the team. Two more games to go in the series. I think we should win. There are two major trophies.”