Bangladesh's longest-serving opener Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket through a social media post yesterday, putting an end to all speculation regarding a potential return to the national team for the upcoming Champions Trophy (CT).

The selectors had approached Tamim during the ongoing Sylhet phase of the Bangladesh Premier League, presenting the 35-year-old with an opportunity to rejoin the squad. While the southpaw listened to their proposition and mulled over his prospects, he ultimately decided against making a comeback.

Tamim believed the discussions surrounding his potential return -- both on social media and in the press -- were interfering with the focus of the national team ahead of a major tournament, beginning on February 19.

"I have been away from international cricket for quite some time. That distance will not be reduced. My stint in international cricket has ended.

"I had been pondering over this issue for a while. Since a big stage such as the Champions Trophy is coming up, I don't want there to be discussions again surrounding me and disturbing the focus of the team," Tamim wrote in a Facebook post.

The veteran opener last donned the Bangladesh jersey in April 2023, crucially opting out of the ODI World Cup in India that year. He had previously mentioned that he had some conditions for returning to the national team, but, having withdrawn from Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) central contract last year, he felt that discussions regarding a return were unnecessary.

"I didn't want that before [a return to the national team]. That's why I removed myself from BCB's central contract. But many said it in the media that I was the one keeping things hanging… retiring or playing on is something that is the right of any professional sportsman. I gave myself time and now I feel the time is right. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was very cordial when he asked me to return, and I discussed it with the selection panel too. I am grateful that they felt I was still capable, but I listened to myself," he said.

The 2023 World Cup was a big chapter for Tamim, and he said that "what happened prior to the 2023 World Cup was a big shock for me as I did not go out of the side due to cricketing reasons."

"Wherever I went, cricket fans wanted to see me return to the national team, and I considered their love. My home has one such fan. My son never said it to me directly, but he told his mum that he wanted to see his father wear the national jersey again. I am sorry for disappointing the fans. I told my son, 'The day you grow up, you will understand your father,'" Tamim wrote further.

Tamim retired from T20Is in 2022, and his international retirement sees him end with 5,134 Test runs from 70 Tests and 8,357 runs from 243 ODIs.