Former Bangladesh national team captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his final decision to retire from international cricket.

On Friday (January 10) night, he wrote in his Facebook post, “I have been away from international cricket for a long time. That distance will not be bridged again. My chapter in international cricket is over.”

Tamim Iqbal said, “I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is ahead, I do not want to be criticized again and the team’s attention to be disrupted. Of course, I did not want this before. I removed myself from the BCB central contract a long time ago because I did not want it. Although many have said, it has been in the media many times, that I am the one who left the matter hanging. But there is no point in planning or discussing someone who is not in any kind of BCB contract, who has voluntarily stepped down more than a year ago. Even after that, there has been unnecessary discussion.

He further wrote, the decision to retire or continue playing is the right of a cricketer or any professional athlete. I have given myself time. Now I feel that the time has come.

Tamim Iqbal said, captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return. Discussions have also been held with the selection committee. I am grateful to them for still considering me suitable. However, I listened to my own mind.

He said, what happened before the 2023 World Cup was a big shock for me. Since I did not leave the team for cricketing reasons. Even after that, wherever I went, many cricket fans told me that they want to see me in the national team again. I thought of their love. I also have a fan at home. My son has never told me directly, but he has repeatedly told his mother that he wants to see his father play in the national jersey again.

The former captain of the national team said, I am sorry for disappointing the fans. I tell my son, the day you grow up, you will understand your father.