Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, two stalwarts of Bangladesh cricket, remain distant from the national team despite not officially retiring. Their availability for the upcoming Champions Trophy has become a topic of speculation.
Currently, Shakib Al Hasan is absent from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Although he was signed by the Chittagong Kings, his return to Bangladesh has been hindered by an unofficial ban linked to his past involvement with a controversial government regime. This has left his participation in international cricket uncertain.
On the other hand, Tamim Iqbal has been active in the BPL, performing impressively, including a brilliant 86-run innings in his most recent match. However, in a recent vlog, Tamim casually hinted that he might not return to the national team, although he has not officially informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) or announced his retirement.
The selectors remain hopeful about including both players in the Champions Trophy squad. The squad is expected to be announced between January 12 and 15. While no formal decisions have been made yet, sources suggest the selectors may leave room for last-minute changes to accommodate Shakib and Tamim if circumstances allow.
BCB President Faruque Ahmed commented on the situation, stating, “Shakib hasn’t officially retired. He occasionally communicates with ministries about resolving his political complications. The selection committee will assess his fitness and mental readiness before making any decisions.”
The final call will likely depend on developments in the coming weeks and whether the players can resolve their respective issues in time.
