BCB President Hints at Tamim and Shakib's Inclusion for Champions Trophy
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed dropped a hint on Saturday that both Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal could be available for selection in the upcoming Champions Trophy. This comes after recent statements from BCB's chief selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, who admitted to being uncertain about the futures of the two cricketing stars in the tournament.
Shakib has been dealing with off-field issues, including political barriers preventing him from entering the country. Additionally, the all-rounder has been under scrutiny for a suspected bowling action, which has required him to seek clearance before returning to international cricket. However, Faruque stressed that Shakib's situation is "a totally different issue," and added that he has not received any updates about Shakib's readiness for upcoming competitions.
Meanwhile, Tamim Iqbal, after a seven-month break, has been in solid form, scoring two half-centuries in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL) T20. His performances suggest that he still has plenty to offer, and Faruque emphasized that any player who hasn't officially retired remains available for selection.
"When a player doesn’t retire, they are available for selection," Faruque told reporters following a board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. He further clarified that the selectors would engage with Tamim if they believe his inclusion is necessary for the team.
On the topic of leadership, Faruque also addressed the future of Najmul Hossain's captaincy. Najmul, who had initially expressed his desire to step down after the South Africa series, agreed to stay on after Faruque's persuasion. However, the BCB president confirmed that they will make a final decision on the captaincy after December, once Najmul's tenure ends.
"We have time before the Champions Trophy and the players will be busy with the BPL," Faruque said. "We haven't discussed anything yet regarding the captaincy. We'll address it when the time comes."
In summary, the BCB is keeping its options open regarding Shakib and Tamim for the Champions Trophy, with decisions on their inclusion expected to be made closer to the tournament. The captaincy situation will also be reviewed after Najmul's tenure ends later this year.
