DHAKA: Former Bangladesh oneday captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket, saying he did not wish to be a distraction for the team ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Tamim made his international debutina20070ne-dayInternational (ODI) against Zimbabwe in Harare.

He played 243 ODIs, 70 Tests and 78 Twenty20 internationals (T20Is).

Tamim previously retired from international cricket a few months before the 50-overs World Cup in India in 2023, but reversed that decision in a day. He then missed out on the World Cup due to a back injury.

The 35-year-old scored over 15,000 runs across all formats and hit 25 centuries the most by any Bangladesh batter. He last played for Bangladesh in their 2-0 ODI series defeat at home against New Zealand in September 2023.

`I have been away from international cricket for a long time. That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over,` he wrote in a post on social media. `I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming up, I do not want to be the focus of anyone`s attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus.

The Champions Trophy will take place in Pakistan from Feb. 19-March 9. Bangladesh are in Group `A`, alongside hosts and defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and India.

`Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team (for the Champions Trophy), Tamim added. `There were discussions with the selection committee too.

I am grateful to them for still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart.`-Reuters