Tamim Iqbal: The undisputed king of Bangladesh's batting milestones

Over an illustrious 17-year international career, Tamim Iqbal has created countless iconic moments. Furthermore, his name dominates many records for Bangladesh, with some achievements solely belonging to him.

Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket. One could also say the left-handed opener has announced his retirement yet again. In July 2023, during the ODI series against Afghanistan on home soil, he declared his departure from international cricket. However, just a day later, he reversed his decision, agreeing to return after a request from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Despite his return, Tamim's journey in international cricket was not the same. After coming out of retirement, he played only two ODIs for Bangladesh. In December 2023, Tamim withdrew himself from the BCB's central contract. Though he returned, he remained outside the national team, focusing on domestic cricket. Even after taking time to make a decision on his comeback, Tamim ultimately did not return.

Throughout his career, Tamim produced unforgettable moments, such as stepping down the track to hit Zaheer Khan for six in Port of Spain, celebrating with a wave to the honours board after a century at Lord's, his finger-pointing celebration following four consecutive half-centuries in the Asia Cup, and batting with one hand in the 2018 Asia Cup.

Records held by Tamim Iqbal for Bangladesh

International runs
Tamim was the first Bangladeshi batter to reach 15,000 international runs. Across formats, he accumulated 15,192 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim followed him into the club in August 2023 and now holds the highest tally for Bangladesh with 15,300 runs.

Centuries
Tamim's 25 centuries across all formats remain the highest by any Bangladeshi batter. No other player has surpassed 20 centuries yet.

Centuries in all formats
He is the first and only Bangladeshi batter to score centuries in all three formats. While others have Test and ODI centuries, no Bangladeshi batter apart from Tamim has managed a T20I century. He achieved this feat against Oman during the 2016 T20 World Cup.

Fifty-plus innings
Tamim also holds the record for most fifty-plus scores by a Bangladeshi batter, with 119 across formats. This includes 94 half-centuries and 25 centuries. Shakib Al Hasan follows with 114 fifty-plus innings.

Batting average
Among Bangladeshi batters with at least 500 international runs, Tamim's career average of 35.41 is the highest.

ODI runs
In ODIs, Tamim is the only Bangladeshi batter to score over 8,000 runs, with 8,357 runs in 243 matches at an average of 36.65, including 14 centuries and 56 half-centuries. Mushfiqur is second with 7,793 runs.

Sixes
Across formats, Tamim has hit 188 sixes, the second-highest by a Bangladeshi batter. Mahmudullah Riyad leads with 208.

ODI sixes
Tamim was the first Bangladeshi batter to hit 100 sixes in ODIs. He has 103 sixes, while Mahmudullah tops the list with 107.

Youngest ODI centurion
At 19 years and two days, Tamim became Bangladesh's youngest ODI centurion with a century against Ireland in 2008.

Consecutive fifty-plus innings
Tamim is the first Bangladeshi batter to record five consecutive fifty-plus scores in ODIs. He also achieved five consecutive half-centuries in Tests, a unique record for Bangladesh.

150-plus scores
Tamim is the only Bangladeshi batter with multiple 150-plus scores in ODIs. His 154 against Zimbabwe in 2009 and 158 against the same opposition in 2020 rank among Bangladesh's highest individual scores.

Double century
Tamim was the second Bangladeshi batter to score a double century in Tests. His 206 against Pakistan in 2015 was a national record until Mushfiqur Rahim surpassed it with an unbeaten 219.

Partnerships
In 2015, Tamim partnered with Imrul Kayes for a 312-run opening stand against Pakistan, the highest opening partnership in the second innings of a Test match.

Player of the Match
Tamim has won 22 Player of the Match awards in international cricket, second only to Shakib's 45.

Player of the Series
Tamim has been named Player of the Series seven times, with Shakib leading at 17 awards.

Dismissals for a duck
Tamim also holds the unfortunate record of most ducks by a Bangladeshi batter, dismissed without scoring 36 times across formats. Mashrafe Mortaza is second with 33 ducks.

Captaincy
As Bangladesh's ODI captain, Tamim led in 37 matches, winning 21. His win percentage of 60% is the highest among Bangladeshi captains with at least five matches in charge.

Matches played
Tamim played 391 international matches, fourth-most for Bangladesh, behind Mushfiqur (468), Shakib (447), and Mahmudullah (429).