‘Fiery character, he will be missed’ – Fans react as Tamim Iqbal announces retirement from international cricket
Bangladesh opener and ODI captain Tamim Iqbal announced a shocking retirement from international cricket on Thursday. Tamim took part in the rain-hit ODI against Afghanistan which the Bangla Tigers lost by 17 runs in the DLS method. Tamim did not have the greatest of endings in his ODI career as he made a painstaking 13 off 21 balls with two fours. Tamim wanted to end his career with immediate effect.
“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,” Iqbal said as he teared up at the Press conference. “I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have been with me through my long journey. They kept faith in me. He added.
Tamim Iqbal scored 8313 runs for Bangladesh in ODIs
Tamim was a dasher at the top for Bangladesh as he smashed a lot of runs for Bangladesh in his destructive avatar. The left-hander also scored a match-winning half-century against India in an ODI World Cup game in 2007 at the West Indies. Even in Tests, Tamim did not change his pyrotechnics at the top in spite of the change in format. The Opener scored 5134 runs in Tests. He had a healthy average of 38.89 and a strike rate of 57.99.
When it comes to the ODI’s, Tamim was known for his heroics in the format. The 34-year-old scored 8313 runs in 241 ODIs at an average of 36.62 and at a strike rate of 78.54. The man from Bangladesh hit 14 centuries and 56 fifties in ODI cricket. The Bangla Tigers will miss his services ahead of the ODI World Cup in India as conditions in India very closely resemble those in Bangladesh.
The left-hander had announced his retirement from T20Is in 2022, and his Test retirement announcement came in April. Tamim has been involved with Bangladesh Cricket for a long time and it is unclear if he will take up a coaching or a mentoring role for the Bangla Tigers or not.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jabed_muhibul/status/1676881529539276800?s=20
Bangladesh's finest batsman Tamim Iqbal Khan has announced sudden retirement before WC and Asia Cup. 34-years old batter scored over 8000 ODI runs! pic.twitter.com/y69Ze6nkdy
— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) July 6, 2023
Wow, Tamim Iqbal has retired from international cricket. Captain gone 3 months before the WC
— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) July 6, 2023
Tamim Iqbal out of nowhere in a world cup year pic.twitter.com/3o0b2Brspj
— 𝓢𝓮𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓱 🇵🇰 (@itsmeSehrish) July 6, 2023
🔆16 years long career
🏏389 Matches across formats
✍️15205 runs with 25 Hundreds
🥇Leading runs scorer in ODIs for Bangladesh
🥈2nd Leading run scorer in Tests for Bangladesh
🥉3rd leading run scorer in T20Is for BangladeshTamim Iqbal bids farewell to International Cricket. pic.twitter.com/Dczng3G4dg
— Shafqat Shabbir (@Chefkat23) July 6, 2023
Why did he announced retirement so early?
He's only 34 and still plays really well 🤔🤷🏻♀️#TamimIqbal pic.twitter.com/2suyK4lps2— Ayat 🦋 (@crictastic_56) July 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/adorhossain559/status/1676882860114837504?s=20
End Of An Era.
Thanks for everything @TamimOfficial28 ❤️@BCBtigers you've lost one hell of a gem!#Bangladesh #BangladeshCricket #TamimIqbal#ThankYouTamim pic.twitter.com/ySGxnBdf90
— Syed Sohan (@syedsohan27) July 6, 2023
Goodbye captain 💔😭😭😭😭 it's really hurt to saw ur sudden retires from international cricket with immediate effect 💔 @TamimOfficial28
What an unfortunate decision 💔
Thanks for everything Mr Khan❤️#TamimIqbal#BangladeshCricket@BCBtigers pic.twitter.com/4NevuFydbu
— Hayat (Inactive) (@hayat_shikder) July 6, 2023
Where to start. Never a quiet day in Bangladesh cricket. Our one day captain Tamim Iqbal has retired, yes RETIRED, from international cricket. In the middle of a series, months from a World Cup. pic.twitter.com/1XYAGBluU4
— Roushan Alam (@roushanalam) July 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/vipintiwari952/status/1676878564258643969?s=20