Bangladesh One Day International captain and the greatest opening batsman of the nation, Tamim Iqbal announced his shock retirement from international cricket Thursday afternoon.
His 13-run innings against Afghanistan at his home ground, Chittagong's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, was his last appearance in a Bangladesh jersey.
Tamim's 16-year long illustrious career brought joy on many occasions to the fans of Bangladesh cricket and many records along the way.
Here are the most memorable moments of his international career:
1. 51 against India at WC 2007
Tamim burst into the international scene during the World Cup 2007 at the Caribbean. Bangladesh secured a famous win against mighty India in the group stage and eventually the Indians were knocked out from the tournament. India folded for just 191 and Tamim made a blistering fifty as the Tigers chased down that total. The teenaged left-hander scored 51 off 53 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes. Especially his sixer against Zaheer Khan after charging down the ground became an iconic moment for Bangladesh cricket. After Tamim stepped out of his crease and whacked the delivery over deep midwicket and into the stand, commentator Ian Bishop had said, “Woah, look at this! A 17-year old really showing little respect to the elder statesman."
2. Back-to-back centuries against England at Lord's and Manchester Tests
Tamim scored a magnificent hundred in Bangladesh's second innings against England at Lord's in 2010. He smashed 103 off 100 deliveries with 15 fours and two over boundaries. He was the first Bangladeshi to score a century at the Home of Cricket and etched his name in the famous honor board. He scored 55 in the first dig too as the English crowd thoroughly appreciated his entertaining batting in both innings.
Tamim carried his brilliant form into the second Test in Manchester as he hit another brilliant hundred in the first innings, 108 off 114 balls with 11 boundaries and one six. Two brilliant centuries on English soil against a good England bowling attack spoke volumes of his class and later he earned a call-up from county side Nottinghamshire the following season.
3. Four fifties in a row at Asia Cup
Tamim was the first batsman to score four consecutive fifties in the Asia Cup 50-over tournament in 2012. Tamim scored 60 off 68 balls in the final against Pakistan which Bangladesh lost by just two runs in the end. His previous three fifties were 64 against Pakistan, 70 against India and 59 against Sri Lanka
4. Double hundred against Pakistan at home
Tamim's first double ton in Test cricket earned Bangladesh a draw against Pakistan in Khulna on March 11, 2015. Tamim made 206 off 278 deliveries and formed a 312-run partnership with Imrul Kayes, which is a record opening partnership for Bangladesh in Tests. His 206 was the highest score for a Bangladeshi back then. Bangladesh were 296 runs behind Pakistan's first innings total of 628 and Tamim and Imrul's mammoth stand ensured a fascinating draw for the Tigers on home soil.
5. Century against Oman at 2016 World T20I
Tamim is the only centurion for Bangladesh in Twenty20 International cricket with his 103-run innings. Tamim hammered those runs off just 63 balls with 10 fours and five sixes in that qualifier match in Dharmasala. The second highest score by a Bangladeshi in T20Is also belongs to Tamim - 88 not out off 61 deliveries against the West Indies in Mirpur back in 2012.
6. Batting with broken hand at Asia Cup
Tamim retired hurt with a broken wrist during their first game against Sri Lanka in Dubai in 2018. Later at a crucial stage of the match, Tamim came out to bat in the lower order with a broken hand and batted with one hand to give support to well-set Mushfiqur Rahim who was playing brilliantly. As quoted in ESPNcrinfo, "I felt very brave in those 10 seconds when the bowler was running in. I was very pumped up after hearing the roar in the stadium. I could have gotten out or anything else may have happened, but in that moment, I was very, very committed to the team and nation.” Mushfiq was batting on 112 in the 47th over when Tamim came out to bat with a broken hand instead of No 11 Mustafizur Rahman. Mushfiq ended with 144 and those runs at the end made a crucial impact on Bangladesh's brilliant win against the Lankans in that encounter.
* Photos inside story: Courtesy
