‘Ye toh captain tha’- Fans react as Tamim Iqbal retires from international cricket
Image Source- Twitter
Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh’s ODI skipper, has announced his retirement from international cricket three months before the World Cup begins in India, abruptly ending a 16-year international career. The decision came only one day after the Bangla Tigers were defeated by Afghanistan in a rain-shortened match. Tamim broke down in tears during a press appearance when he announced his retirement.
Bangladesh will now have to hunt for a new skipper with the ODI World Cup only three months away. Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das have a good chance of getting the job. Shakib is already the T20I captain for Bangladesh, while Litton is the Test captain. Tamim announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals around the same time last year. He had last played a Test for his country against Ireland in April.
This is the end for me: Tamim Iqbal
“This is the end for me. I have given my best. I have tried my best. I am retiring from international cricket at this moment,” Tamim said. “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. “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.”
Tamim made his international debut as a youngster in February 2007, making a match-winning half-century in Bangladesh’s famous World Cup victory against India in the West Indies. He has the most ODI runs (8313) and hundreds (14) for his country, and he is the third-best run-scorer among current cricketers, just trailing behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
He scored 5134 runs in 70 Tests, the second most for Bangladesh, at an average of 38.89, with 10 hundreds. Tamim has won 21 of 37 One-Day Internationals as captain, and he guided Bangladesh to third position in the ODI Super League, assuring direct qualifying for the World Cup in India coming October and November. In 2017, he captained Bangladesh in one Test match against New Zealand.
Here’s how fans reacted
I think fitness issues
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 6, 2023
Still remember him smashing Zaheer khan in 2007 World Cup
One of the finest knock#CWC23 #CricketTwitter #TamimIqbal— Kaushik Pabbu Ramesh (@kaushikpr94) July 6, 2023
What’s wrong with this guy? He takes decision just before the ICC Event.
— CHARLIE (@CharlieGulshan) July 6, 2023
Shocking but still #INDKMKB
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddl_vora) July 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/Rishi_rajput24/status/1676856854230757377?s=20
Rohit Sharma should learn from him
— KT (@IconicRcb) July 6, 2023
@_mirchi___ suddenly what happened, ye to odi mei captain tha na?
— || (@__d_i_p) July 6, 2023
Just before the WC, not surprised
— Jaddu (@nithishjaddu) July 6, 2023
