Tamim hints retirement from one format

Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal has hinted that he may retire from one format of international cricket within six months to prolong his international career. Tamim has played 62 Test matches, 213 ODIs and 78 T20Is for Bangladesh so far after making his debut in 2007.

Currently the captain of the ODI team, Tamim took leave following the three-match ODI series against New Zealand and returned home before the three-T20I series, which he missed due to personal reasons.

“If I want to play for another four or five years, I don't think I can play all three formats. It won't be possible. I have to pick two formats that are important to me, in which I can have an impact for the team. It might be now or even after six months. I might not even play two formats. I may play just one format,” Tamim said in a recent interview with Youtube channel Allrounder.

I know how long I want to play or what I want to achieve. I don't want to disclose it but I can promise that I won't push it too much. If I want to prolong my international career, I have to give away something. I will surprise a lot of people sooner or later. If I think it is best for the team and my career, I will definitely take the decision. I have never been shy of taking hard decisions.”

“There are very few cricketers who retire from all three formats together,” he said. 

“Sometimes they leave Test cricket last, if they think they have more to achieve and give to the team. If I feel I add more value to the team in one-day cricket, it might be the last one that I leave. It might even be T20Is.”