sports desk/

Tamim Iqbal suddenly called a press conference at a Chittagong hotel on Thursday afternoon. It was clear that a big announcement was coming. Tamim has announced his retirement from international cricket proving that to be true. This batsman, one of the best in the history of cricket in this country, could not speak properly at the time of his farewell. His voice was getting steamy. What Tamim said in the press conference is highlighted exactly-

The previous match against Afghanistan was the last match of my career. From this moment I bid farewell to international cricket.

The decision is not to be taken hastily. I have been thinking for a long time. I have talked to the family about it.

I have always said, I played cricket to fulfill my father’s dream. I don’t know how much I have made him proud in his 16 years of cricket career. But I tried my best.

I would also like to thank a few others. My youngest uncle, who has passed away, is Akbar Khan, with whom I played my first cricket tournament. There is a coach named Tapan Da at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, I am indebted to him.

All the cricketers I have played with till now, from U-13, then U-15, 16, 19, Premier League, National League, A team, National team – I thank everyone. I thank all the captains of Bangladesh.

Actually I don’t have much to say. One thing I want to say is that I tried my best to play well. I really tried my best. I don’t know how good a player I was, if I was good at all. But I tried my best. Every time I step on the field I give my 100%.

I really want to say a lot, but you see, I can’t speak. I hope you will try to understand the situation. It’s not an ideal situation to talk about. It is not easy to say goodbye to this game, especially after playing it for so many years. So, I hope you will try to understand me.

I am very sorry to call you all here on such short notice. Thank you for coming. I want to make a request to you. Those who will come to play cricket in the coming days. You will write good things about them. Write badly. What you write is up to you, but please stick to cricket. Please don’t go out of cricket. If they write well, if they play badly, write like that, criticize. Very good thing. I think, as we all know, sometimes we overstep our bounds.

It is a very important year for cricket. World Cup ahead. So I hope you will be with Bangladesh team. Considering it as part of their team. Support the team. It is very important.

I say one thing again, I tried my best. I started playing cricket to fulfill my late father’s dream. I don’t know how much I did. I’m sorry if I didn’t mention anyone’s name in thanking. But I want to say, I thank all those who have helped me as a cricketer, to develop, to become a person, from the bottom of my heart.

How can I forget my mother! My brothers, my wife, my two children—they have suffered a lot on my journey. At the same time they had many occasions to rejoice. I thank them all.

I will make another request, please end this matter here. No need to fuss about it. Why, what, what else could have been, why could have been—these.

I am very sorry to call you all here on such short notice. Thank you for coming. I want to make a request to you. Those who will come to play cricket in the coming days. You will write good things about them. Write badly. What you write is up to you, but please stick to cricket. Please don’t go out of cricket. If they write well, if they play badly, write like that, criticize. Very good thing. I think, as we all know, sometimes we overstep our bounds.

It is a very important year for cricket. World Cup ahead. So I hope you will be with Bangladesh team. Considering it as part of their team. Support the team. It is very important.

I say one thing again, I tried my best. I started playing cricket to fulfill my late father’s dream. I don’t know how much I did. I’m sorry if I didn’t mention anyone’s name in thanking. But I want to say, I thank all those who have helped me as a cricketer, to develop, to become a person, from the bottom of my heart.

I always say, the team is bigger than the individual. We all focus on the team. There are still two matches left in the series. I always think we should win this series. Then there are two big tournaments.

I have nothing more to say. Hope to see you somewhere else.