<p>Former Bangladesh one-day captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket, saying he did not wish to be a distraction for the team ahead of the Champions Trophy.</p><p>Tamim made his international debut in a 2007 One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe in Harare. He played 243 ODIs, 70 tests and 78 Twenty20 internationals (T20Is).</p><p>Tamim previously retired from international cricket a few months before the 50-overs World Cup in India in 2023, but reversed that decision in a day. He then missed out on the World Cup due to a back injury.</p><p>The 35-year-old scored over 15,000 runs across all formats and hit 25 centuries - the most by any Bangladesh batter. He last played for Bangladesh in their 2-0 ODI series defeat at home against New Zealand in September 2023.</p>.ICC Cricket Committee looking to give leeway to bowlers on wides: Shaun Pollock.<p>"I have been away from international cricket for a long time. That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over," he wrote in a post on social media.</p><p>"I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming up, I do not want to be the focus of anyone's attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus."</p><p>The Champions Trophy will take place in Pakistan from February 19-March 9. Bangladesh are in Group A, alongside hosts and defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and India.</p><p>"Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team (for the Champions Trophy)," Tamim added.</p><p>"There were discussions with the selection committee too. I am grateful to them for still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart."</p>
<p>Former Bangladesh one-day captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket, saying he did not wish to be a distraction for the team ahead of the Champions Trophy.</p><p>Tamim made his international debut in a 2007 One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe in Harare. He played 243 ODIs, 70 tests and 78 Twenty20 internationals (T20Is).</p><p>Tamim previously retired from international cricket a few months before the 50-overs World Cup in India in 2023, but reversed that decision in a day. He then missed out on the World Cup due to a back injury.</p><p>The 35-year-old scored over 15,000 runs across all formats and hit 25 centuries - the most by any Bangladesh batter. He last played for Bangladesh in their 2-0 ODI series defeat at home against New Zealand in September 2023.</p>.ICC Cricket Committee looking to give leeway to bowlers on wides: Shaun Pollock.<p>"I have been away from international cricket for a long time. That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over," he wrote in a post on social media.</p><p>"I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming up, I do not want to be the focus of anyone's attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus."</p><p>The Champions Trophy will take place in Pakistan from February 19-March 9. Bangladesh are in Group A, alongside hosts and defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and India.</p><p>"Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team (for the Champions Trophy)," Tamim added.</p><p>"There were discussions with the selection committee too. I am grateful to them for still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart."</p>