Chattogram/IBNS: Three months before the 50-over World Cup, Bangladesh One Day International (ODI) captain Tamim Iqbal on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket.

Tamim made the surprising announcement at a press conference after Bangladesh lost the first of three ODI matches against Afghanistan a day ago.

Speaking to the reporters, Tamim, who moved to tears at the press conference, said, "The decision to retire is not sudden. I have been thinking about it and discussing it with my family members for some days.

"I thought this is the right time for me to take a side and retire from international cricket."

Tamim, 34, scored 5,082 runs in 69 Tests; scored 8,224 runs in 238 ODIs and scored 1,758 runs in 78 T20Is.

In 2016, the southpaw had created history by becoming the first ever Bangladeshi to score a century in the history of ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Tamim had slammed 103 not out against Oman.

Presently, Bangladeshi veteran Shakib Al Hasan is the captain of the side in Tests while Litton Das is in charge of the shortest format of the game, T20.