The 33-year-old had taken a break from T20Is in January, stating that his main focus was on Tests and ODIs.
The current ODI captain announced his retirement from T20I cricket on Saturday. He put an end to the speculations about his T20I future, making the announcement shortly after leading Bangladesh to a 3-0 ODI series win over the West Indies in Guyana.
At around 6 pm local time, he conveyed his message via his official Facebook page.
Earlier this year, in January, the player had taken a break from the shorter format, citing he wanted to focus more on the other two formats. Iqbal had also stated that if the team needed him in future, he would think about returning.
“My full focus will be on Tests and ODIs. We are preparing for the World Test Championship and qualification for the 2023 World Cup. I will not be thinking about T20Is in the next six months.
I hope that those playing will do so well, that the team won’t need me in T20Is. But if God forbid the team or cricket board needs me, and I am ready, I will possibly think about it,”
he said on January 27, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Tamim had been away from the T20I format since the middle of last year when he pulled out of contention for the T20 World Cup in the UAE. He had made a choice to allow other players a consistent run at the top.
Iqbal’s last appearance in T20I cricket was in March 2020, when he made 41 off 33 against Zimbabwe. He had received criticism from some quarters for his scoring rate in recent times.
He has enjoyed success in other formats, leading Bangladesh to five consecutive ODI series victories. Tamim was awarded the ‘player of the series’ against West Indies for his 117 runs in a series heavily dominated by bowlers.
Iqbal was a key player for Bangladesh in T20Is for over a decade. He has played 78 matches and is the third leading run-scorer for the team, with 1758 runs at an average of 24. He remains the only player to have scored a T20I hundred for Bangladesh.
