In the exciting world of cricket, where amazing players become heroes and their incredible achievements become sports history, there are only a few special individuals who go beyond just playing the game and manage to touch the hearts of millions. Tamim Iqbal, a talented batsman from Bangladesh, is one such extraordinary person. He has created unforgettable moments on the cricket field and has become a source of inspiration for an entire nation. In his 16-year career, Tamim has more than 15,000 runs, along with some incredible records for Bangladesh.
Yesterday (July 6, 2023) Tamim Iqbal announced the end of his career for the Bangladesh cricket team. Opinions among fans are divided regarding Tamim`s retirement announcement. Some fans consider it a "timely decision", while others believe it is an "irreparable" loss for Bangladeshi cricket, especially with the World Cup approaching. Records say, the Bangladesh cricket team will certainly miss Tamim Iqbal.
Tamim’s achievements as a cricketer are noteworthy. He is the highest scorer for Bangladesh across all three formats. He said goodbye to international cricket after scoring more than 15,000 runs in three formats. Tamim has the highest, 25, centuries in all three formats for Bangladesh. Tamim’s 14 centuries in ODIs are the highest century record in ODIs by any Bangladeshi player.
In 2011, Tamim became one of the four cricketers of the year by the Wisden Almanack, which is known as the "Bible of Cricket". In the same year, the left-hander was selected as the second Bangladeshi to be named Wisden’s Test Cricketer of the Year. Tamim scored 295 runs in the 2016 T20 World Cup and became the highest run scorer of the tournament.
Tamim Iqbal delivered incredible performances both on Bangladeshi soil and outside the country. His average is 37 at home and 35 away, with seven centuries at both places.
Tamim Iqbal (Image collected fro Facebook)
The Beginning of the Tamim Era
March 17, 2007, just three days before his birthday, a 17-year-old Bangladeshi boy played his debut match in the World Cup in Port of Spain, West Indies. He impressed everyone by playing fearless cricket in that match against India. Coming down the wicket, he effortlessly played Zaheer Khan’s 140+ km ball to the gallery. After watching such wonder from a "minnow" Bangladeshi batsman, the world understood that this boy did not come to lose. He came to play.
In the end, the youngster was out after scoring 51 runs off 53 balls in that match. Bangladesh was energised by the spirit of youth and defeated hot favourite India in that match. After that, Bangladesh also played in the Super Eight for the first time.
Even though the youngster could not do much in World Cup 2007, he showed class in that match. The young man who arrived in the cricket world magnificently later established himself as one of the best batters in the history of Bangladesh. He is the country’s best opener.
However, Tamim’s 16-year-long international career did not start with the World Cup. Tamim scored only 5 runs in his debut match against Zimbabwe at the Sports Club ground in Harare. He returned to the pavilion after being caught by Gary Brent off Anthony Ireland’s ball. The Tigers, however, won against Zimbabwe that day. Tamim Iqbal and Bangladesh made their debuts in T20 cricket against the same opponent.
Tamim Iqbal (Image collected from Facebook)
Tamim Iqbal`s ODI Records in International Cricket
Table: ODI Records of Bangladeshi Batter Tamim Iqbal
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Century | Fifty | Strike rate |
| 241 | 239 | 8313 | 158 | 36.62 | 14 | 56 | 78.58 |
Tamim scored 8313 runs at an average of 36.62 in 241 ODIs till the ODI against Afghanistan on July 6, 2023. Tamim, one of the best openers in Asia, has scored 14 centuries in ODIs and has 56 half-centuries. His match-winning innings of 158 runs against Zimbabwe is his highest in ODIs. Tamim got the ODI captaincy in 2020. Since then, the left-hander served as captain until announcing his retirement. So far, Tamim Iqbal has scored four ODI centuries against Zimbabwe and two each against Sri Lanka, West Indies, Pakistan, and England.
In the early days, Tamim was considered the future of Bangladesh cricket. Also, many experts believe that Tamim-Shakib’s generation taught Bangladesh to play fearless cricket for the first time. According to Nazmul Abedin Fahim, Tamim’s mentor and BKSP’s cricket head, the Cricket history of Bangladesh is not long enough like that of Australia, England, or India. When we started, our position was very low. Tamim has made a big contribution to the fact that we have reached a bigger stage from there.
The selectors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board have always been in a dilemma about who should partner with Tamim Iqbal as the opening batsman. They have tried various players such as Imrul Kayes, Enamul Haque Jr., and Shahriar Nafees, but none of them have been able to establish themselves as successful opening partner. For a long time, it was difficult for Bangladeshi cricket to find Tamim’s alternative in the opening position. So, no one can deny Tamim’s contribution to the development of Bangladesh’s ODI.
Test Records of Tamim Iqbal in International Cricket
Table: Test Records
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Century | Fifty | Strike rate |
| 70 | 134 | 5134 | 206 | 38.89 | 10 | 31 | 57.99 |
Tamim is the second-highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in Tests. He scored 5134 runs in 70 Tests in 134 innings at an average of 38.89. Along with 10 centuries, he scored 31 half-centuries. His highest innings of 206 runs was played against Pakistan in 2015.
Tamim Iqbal`s Test cricket journey started in Dunedin, New Zealand. During the 2008 series, Tamim Iqbal made an impressive Test debut by scoring 53 and 84 runs in his two innings. However, his most memorable innings came at Lord`s, where he scored a magnificent century of 103 runs off just 100 balls. To mark this special achievement, Tamim requested that his name be written on the honour board at Lord`s. In the following match, he continued his stellar form and scored another century, this time making 108 runs in Manchester.
In 2015, Tamim Iqbal achieved a remarkable feat by scoring a double century in a Test match against Pakistan in Khulna. He has a total of 10 centuries in Test cricket, including three against England. Additionally, he has scored centuries against India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. In 2016, Tamim played a crucial innings of 104 runs that contributed significantly to Bangladesh`s first and only Test match victory against England. The following year, during Bangladesh`s 100th Test match in Sri Lanka, Tamim made notable contributions with scores of 49 and 82 runs in the two innings. He also played a vital role in Bangladesh`s first Test win against Australia, scoring 71 and 78 runs in the two innings.
Tamim Iqbal`s T20I Records in International Cricket
Table: T20I Records
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Century | Fifty | Strike rate |
| 78 | 78 | 1758 | 103 | 24.08 | 1 | 7 | 116.96 |
Among the three formats, Tamim had the average performance compared to Test and ODI. But, still, he scored 295 runs in the 2016 T20 World Cup and became the highest run scorer of that tournament. Among the three formats, Tamim said goodbye to T20 first in 2022. Tamim played 78 matches and scored 1758 runs at an average of 24.08 before retiring from T20 in 2022. Apart from a century, he scored 7 half-centuries in T20.
Tamim Iqbal (Image collected from Facebook)
Why Did Tamim Iqbal Announce His Retirement Suddenly?
Although Tamim did not give any exact reason, his lack of fitness and form might be one of them. The ODI captain announced that he will play against Afghanistan even though he was "not totally fit." Head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon expressed displeasure at Tamim`s announcement to play the match despite not being 100% fit.
While playing against the Afghans on Wednesday, he started the match with huge pressure on his shoulders. He could not score more than 13 runs in the first ODI on Wednesday. The team also lost to Afghanistan.
All in all, the reality is against Tamim. Without fitness, Tamim`s confidence was also at rock bottom. No team would want a captain like this just three months before the World Cup. Tamim may have taken such a decision after realizing this.
Final Words
Tamim played 37 ODIs as captain, out of which Bangladesh won 21. Tamim Iqbal`s journey from a young and talented player to an experienced and skilled cricketer has been truly remarkable. He has shown incredible talent and dedication, which has taken Bangladesh cricket to new heights. His amazing performances have inspired hope and dreams in a country that has always wanted to achieve greatness in cricket. As we sadly say goodbye to this remarkable cricketer, everyone involved in cricket is finding it hard to express their feelings.
