Bangladesh’s star batter Tamim Iqbal has announced his international retirement for the second time. He took to Facebook to reveal his decision to step away from the game once again.
Tamim made his international debut in 2007 and had first retired in July 2023 during a sudden press conference. However, he reversed that decision shortly after, stating that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had urged him to reconsider. Despite this, Tamim hasn’t featured in a match for Bangladesh since September 2023. In the meantime, he has been playing in domestic leagues, including the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Fortune Barishal.
In his retirement post, Tamim criticized the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for excluding him from the 2023 World Cup squad. He also disclosed that he was under consideration for the Champions Trophy 2025 but decided to step away to avoid distractions for the team. “With such a major event like the Champions Trophy approaching, I don’t want any discussions around me to disturb the team’s focus,” he wrote.
Tamim thanked selectors and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for their support but explained that he followed his instincts. Reflecting on his World Cup exclusion, Tamim expressed disappointment, stating he wasn’t dropped for cricketing reasons. “Wherever I’ve gone, fans wished to see me back in the national team. Even at home, my son wanted me to play for Bangladesh again,” he shared.
In an emotional note to his son, Tamim added, “One day, when you’re older, you’ll understand your father’s decision.”
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