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Kathmandu, Tamim Iqbal, the captain of Bangladesh, has decided to retire from international cricket, dealing the nation a significant setback ahead of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India.

Just three months before the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India, Iqbal put an end to a 16-year-old player's international career.

A day after Bangladesh's defeat against Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series, Iqbal gave a news conference in Chattogram to announce his immediate retirement from international play.

Iqbal, who was visibly upset, told the media, "This is the end for me. I gave it my all. I gave it my all. As of right now, I'm leaving international cricket.

"I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, BCB officials, my family members, and those who have been with me throughout my long journey," Iqbal continued after thanking his teammates and the coaching staff. They didn't lose hope in me.

"I also want to thank the fans," he added in his thanks to them. I was motivated to offer everything I had for Bangladesh by your love and belief in me. Please keep me in your prayers as I move forward in my life. Keep me in your prayers, please.

Iqbal made his debut for Bangladesh in an ODI in 2007 and has played in 241 ODIs, 78 T20Is, and 70 Tests for his country. With 25 centuries and 94 half-centuries, the talented left-handed opener has scored over 15,000 runs in international cricket.

Iqbal played his final Test match against Ireland in April after having previously retired from Twenty20 cricket last year. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not yet announced Tamim's replacement for the 50-over format.