Tamim Iqbal announces retirement from international cricket

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday.

Iqbal, who played in the first ODI for his team in the ongoing series against Afghanistan, opted to call it quits immediately.

He had skipped the one-off test against Afghanistan last month with a stiff back and scored 13 in Wednesday’s one-day international against Afghanistan in Chattogram, in what turned out his last international outing.

“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,” he said in a highly emotional press conference.

“I want to thank all my team-mates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have been with me through my long journey. They kept faith in me.

“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,” he added.

Iqbal announced his retirement from T20 Internationals last year.

He is one of the best openers to have come out of Bangladesh, having scored 5083 runs in Tests and 8313 runs in ODIs.

Source - The Indian Express

-Agencies