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Follow UsIt was a sombre atmosphere, every journalist that was present would attest to that. The images were truly emotional, and amidst that sat a 34-year-old Tamim Iqbal, who was drowning in his own tears.
After glorious 16 years at the highest level, often fighting tooth with some of the world's greatest cricketers, Tamim was a standard in world cricket. He leaves the sport rich, with 8313 ODI runs, and 14 centuries, the most for any Bangladesh batter in the format.
🎙️ | Tamim Iqbal’s final statement:
— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75) July 6, 2023
“Yesterday against Afghanistan was my last international game. I’m retiring from international cricket effecting right now.”
“It is not a sudden decision. I was thinking about it from a long time. There are some reasons I think there is no… pic.twitter.com/uQTsR0kHwK
With just three months left for the ODI World Cup, there were truly some expectations that surrounded the Tigers. Not only did Tamim lead an able team, but they also played some truly outstanding cricket that led to them finishing third in the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
Despite missing several big names throughout the year, Tamim’s side achieved something that even some top nations couldn’t, perhaps defining Tamim as a cricketer. His passion for the game is unrelenting.
“This is the end for me. I have given my best. I have tried my best. I am retiring from international cricket from this moment. I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have been with me through my long journey," Tamim said at the press conference, calling it a day from all formats of the game.
Even if you haven’t watched Bangladesh cricket enough, the respect that was present in the room amidst all the journalists present is enough to tell you that Tamim leaves Bangladesh cricket richer than he found it.
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Your first impression often is the best.
At least, that’s how the saying goes. But in the case of several top cricketers, the starting is always a lull, but as their careers progress through the clock, their best emerges out of the shadow.
Tamim’s career in international cricket isn’t any different, his first impression wasn’t the best when he got out for five. In the next three fixtures that followed, he only had scores of 30, 11 and 11. But then there was the biggest contest in front of him - the first World Cup fixture against India.
India were dismissed for 191, and it was far away from a pitch where a team could be folded for such a total. But then, if Bangladesh could do it, there was always a possibility that India could better it with a dominant bowling display.
Up against them was a 17-year-old. Despite an early wicket at the other end, the southpaw played an attacking brand of cricket that took the Indian bowling unit by total surprise. On a pitch where even the best of players like Yuvraj Singh struck at just 81.03, Tamim banished the Indian bowling, striking at 96.22.
He hit seven fours and two sixes in the process, announcing himself on the world stage in some swag. Over the next 16 years, that swag remained a permanent fixture of the southpaw’s game and Bangladesh’s batting at the top of the order.
In Tamim, they had someone who was ultra-aggressive when and where there was a need, someone who was solid and was a glue to their batting unit. His half-century was just a teaser of what was yet to come. At the time of retirement, Tamim had scored 14 centuries, but perhaps England and India were two countries on the wrong side of his assault.
At the 2017 Champions Trophy, Bangladesh were put into bat by Eoin Morgan at The Oval. Tamim relished the opportunity to make a statement with some staggering hits. Despite two wickets falling relatively early at the other end, Tamim stood like a rock and punched like a boxer, perhaps at his career's peak.
Every punch was massive, and by the time his 128 ended, there was rousing applause. The ever-passionate Bangladeshi fans were jumping for joy after every boundary. It was like a festival out there in South London, and the reason for that festivity was none other than Tamim himself.
It wasn’t just that, Tamim is one of the biggest reasons for Bangladesh finishing third on the ODI Super League rankings. His leadership, if anything, has been astute, aggressive in patches - which has led to improved pace bowlers in the country. Since the start of the Super League, the left-hander has smashed 1111 runs, including nine 50s.
And after 241 ODIs, 8313 runs, at an average of 36.62 and a strike-rate of 78.5, Tamim bows out of a format he loves the most - ODIs.
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Perhaps, Tamim’s exploits in Test cricket wouldn’t garner the same kind of attention as his ODI exploits, but he’s stood up every time his team needs him the most. Bangladesh have played just two Tests against England since the time Tamim made his Test debut.
And across those four innings, the southpaw has punched way above his counterparts.
In four innings, Tamim has scored 268, which includes two Test centuries - one at Lord’s and the other at Manchester - with both of them coming in a dire situation for the Tigers, averaging 67. But that’s not that, he also has a strike-rate of 96.40 against England in England. Talk about records, that’s possibly one that will stand the test of time.
May 27, 2010, Bangladesh vs England at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket. England won the game fairly straight. It is perhaps a game that will not be remembered, but for Tamim, it is one of the fondest memories of his life. A hundred at Lord’s is perhaps a memory of a lifetime. Bangladesh played 110 overs.
39 of the 110 overs were faced by Tamim. And till the time Tamim was at the crease, the English bowlers had a tough time. Every delivery was either met by a confident push, a swift pull or a timely drive. None resulted in a wicket. There was visible frustration on Andrew Strauss’ face, which grew bigger as Tamim continued his onslaught.
Tamim converted one into two when he scored yet another century, this time in Manchester. In the space of a week and a half, Tamim had not one but two centuries and gave England not one but plenty of headaches. That in itself was the beauty of his game.
From thereon, Tamim never looked back and stepped up multiple times, both at home and away. One such knock came in 2015 against Pakistan. With Bangladesh trailing by 295 runs in the second innings, Tamim produced a knock of a lifetime when he smashed 206, ensuring that Bangladesh would save the Test against Pakistan.
That was when the gritty nature of his came to the fore.
Later in 2017, his clutch nature was at the fore against Sri Lanka during the second Test. Winning in Sri Lanka is always a tough deal. Especially in an era that was dominated by the left-arm wizardry of Rangana Herath. But that’s where Tamim and his abilities stood out.
Tamim smashed 49 in the first innings before coming up clutch, like it was just another day for him with a 137-ball 82. At 22/2, Bangladesh were staring at a defeat, and with the ball turning square, all hopes were pinned on Tamim’s shoulders. Slowly yet steadily, the southpaw forged ice with fire and smashed an 82, an innings that earnt him all the plaudits.
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Calm, composed, gritty and clutch - Tamim has always stood up when his nation has required him.
But after 16 years with multiple injury concerns, a Bangladeshi great is drawing a curtain on his career. More importantly, he leaves a long-lasting legacy that would ripple across the coming generations.
