The chapter of Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh cricket ended on an unhappy note when the prolific opener announced his retirement ahead of the World Cup on Thursday just the day after his last ODI match against Afghanistan in Chattogram.
It was very much unexpected and shocking that the ODI captain would announce his retirement so early, at least three months before the ICC men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. But he did, when all of a sudden the all time best opener in both ODI and Test cricket of Bangladesh gave the announcement in a press conference at a local hotel in Chattogram on Thursday afternoon.
Tamim’s saying ‘Goodbye’ to the international circuit was like a bolt from the blue to cricket supporters, organisers and his fans.
Tamim Iqbal was born in a sports family in Chattogram when his father Iqbal Khan was a sportsman and renowned organizer, his uncle Akram Khan was the captain of Bangladesh National cricket team when his elder brother Nafeez Iqbal was also a dashing opener of the Bangladesh national team.
Surrounded by a crowd of reporters when Tamim stating his retirement turned into very emotional, could not control his tears, and said that it was not a sudden, but a right decision at the right time, but for the 34-year old Tamim it was a bit immature decision, as he could continue at least three more years.
Tamim is the highest scorer of Bangladesh in ODI and the second highest in Test cricket. He scored runs with 14 hundreds and 56 fifties with highest 158 runs which is the third-highest run-scorer among current cricketers, behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma of India. Tamim in his 70-match Test career scored 5134 runs at an average of 38.89, with 10 centuries 31 half centuries and smashed 655 boundaries and 41 sixes.
But the exciting batting genius firmly noticed his appearance in Bangladesh cricket at his early age of 19 years old during England U-19 tour of Bangladesh. The promising batter proved his mettle at that age with scoring a brilliant century (112 off 71 balls) to beat their English counterparts.
After that Tami did not look back, as his potential was apparent when he had the call in ODI against Zimbabwe in 2007 and after debut and playing the second match of his ODI career against Zimbabwe in February 2007, was included in the ICC World Cup squad.
Tamim played both his debut matches of ODI and Test at away ground in Harare and Dunedin respectively.
The left-hander was regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in Bangladesh cricket and is arguably the hardest hitter in the country since his debut and ultimately he demonstrated his batting display at home away grounds.
In his emotional address to the reporters, Tamim said, “This is the end for me. I have given my best. I have tried my best. I am retiring from international cricket from this moment. There are a lot of other things I want to say, but as you can see I am almost 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 at such short notice.”
"Yesterday (Wednesday) 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,” said Tamim.
"I need to thank a few people, which they deserve. (Pauses, and takes a deep breath). I have always said that I played cricket (long pause, deep breath) to fulfil my father's dream. So I am not sure how much I have made him proud throughout these 16 years of my international career.”
Tamim, who did not miss thanks to his early stage coach and the teenage team-mates and to all, he had close engagements on his way to brand the career, said, “I thank Tapan Da, a coach in MA Aziz Stadium, who was my coach in my childhood. I thank all the players I played with from the U-13, U-15, U-17, U-19s, 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 don't have much to say. One thing I will definitely say is, I tried my best (sobbing). I did try my best. Maybe I was not good enough or good enough. I don't know. But I tried my 100% whenever I was on the field,” Tamim revealed his role he played on the field and off the field.
"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.
