WATCH: Bangladesh Captain Tamim Iqbal Tearfully Announces His Retirement From International Cricket

A video from Tamim Iqbal's press conference, in which he can be seen wiping down his tears while thanking his family and friends in his journey, is doing rounds on social media.

Tamim took this decision a day after Bangladesh's heartbreaking defeat in an ODI match to Afghanistan. ( Image Source :Screengrab taken from Twitter )

Tamim Iqbal Retirement Press Conference: In a shocking development, Bangladesh ODI team skipper Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday (July 6). The announcement comes as a massive blow to Bangladesh's chances of winning this year's 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Tamim took this decision a day after Bangladesh's heartbreaking defeat in an ODI match to Afghanistan. He confirmed his retirement decision in a press conference, emphasizing that he had been contemplating it for some time and that the decision was not made hastily. The news is an absolute shocker for local fans as Bangladesh's leading run-getter and century maker in ODIs, quits just three months ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

Meanwhile, a video from Tamim's press conference, in which he can be seen wiping down his tears while thanking his family and friends in his journey, is doing rounds on social media.

"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. Yesterday against Afghanistan was my last international game. It was not a sudden decision. I was thinking about the different reasons. I don't want to mention here. I have spoken to my family members about it. I thought this is the right time for me to retire from international cricket," Tamim was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"I need to thank a few people, which they deserve. (Pauses, and takes a deep breath). I have always said that I played cricket (long pause, deep breath) to fulfil my father's dream. So I am not sure how much I have made him proud throughout these 16 years of my international career," he added. 

Seeing Tamim Iqbal crying broke my heart.But I must say it was a timely decision.He always said he wanted the best for the team.His announcement of retirement rather than prioritizing the big event like the World Cup is proof of wanting the best of the team.A legend of Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/lXK3CtYYkF

— Samiul Alam Sami (@SsSamiulSami73) July 6, 2023

Tamim is regarded as one of the best players in history of Bangladesh cricket. He holds the record for scoring the most ODI runs for the national team. Tamim scored 8313 runs in 239 ODI innings for Bangladesh with help of 14 centuries and 56 half-centuries. Tamim's best ODI score is 158 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim is at number two in this list with 7188 ODI runs.