Tamim Iqbal Calls Time on International Career, Again
Tamim Iqbal never quite did things by halves. The left-handed opener, often seen as the backbone of Bangladesh cricket for over fifteen years, has once again decided to step away from the international scene. This time, he says there’s no turning back, drawing a thick line under any speculation about a possible comeback for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Just months ago, many fans in Bangladesh were still hoping for his return. Despite the quiet clamor from selectors and insistent calls from his teammates—especially current captain Najmul Hossain Shanto—Tamim’s mind was made up. In a forthright Facebook post, he said, “I have been away from international cricket for quite some time, and the gap will not close.” It’s a declaration that ends one of Bangladesh’s longest and most storied international careers.
His initial farewell in 2023 had been similarly dramatic. A teary press conference, a visibly emotional player, and then—within a single day—a complete reversal after Bangladesh’s then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally intervened. But this time, there was no political rescue, no sudden U-turn, and no room left for committee-room hope.
Why Tamim Stepped Away—For Good
The timing of Tamim’s announcement is striking. With the Champions Trophy squad submission deadline looming in January 2025, the Bangladesh cricket selectors had deliberately left a spot open for their veteran opener. Recent domestic runs suggested he was still a force with the bat. But for Tamim, numbers on a scoresheet couldn’t bridge the mental and emotional gap.
He framed his decision as one of responsibility: not wanting to become a distraction or an off-field talking point as Bangladesh builds toward one of the game’s biggest tournaments. The 2023 World Cup snub clearly left a mark; left out after a resume boasting nearly two decades of service, he had to watch from the sidelines. That experience, combined with recurring conversations about his fitness and form, seems to have finally tipped the scale.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) kept doors open as long as possible. Teammates kept in touch. Yet those who followed Tamim’s career probably sensed this ending. In his message, the now-former opener wrote about “the chapter” closing. He left little doubt that this time, the book is finished—and with it, a significant era for Bangladesh cricket.
So what happens now? For the first time since Tamim broke into the international scene in 2007, Bangladesh will face cricket’s biggest stages without him. On paper, it marks the end of a career counted in thousands of runs, but for fans, it’s the end of an unmistakable presence at the top of the order—a player whose highs and lows were always all too human.