In a big boost for the Bangladesh national cricket team, BCB President Faruque Ahmed has hinted at the participation of veterans Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Faruque Ahmed said that Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are available for selection for the next ICC Champions Trophy, which will be played in a hybrid model in February and March 2024.
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Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are certified greats of Bangladesh cricket
Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and veteran batsman Tamim Iqbal are two of the best cricketers produced in Bangladesh.
Shakib has featured in 71 Tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20Is for his country and has scored 4609, 7570 and 2551 runs respectively. With the ball, his contributions have been immense as he picked 246, 317 and 149 wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Talking about Tamim Iqbal, he has played 70 Tests, 243 ODIs and 78 T20Is, scoring 5134, 8357 and 1758 runs respectively. However, he has not worn the Bangladesh jersey for a long time and his last international appearance was in September 2023.
He also served as a commentator in some of Bangladesh’s recent matches but has now started his preparations for the upcoming BPL with the NCL T20 underway.
Meanwhile, Shakib has found himself in the middle of many controversies. Political problems have prevented him from traveling to Bangladesh and he was recently suspended from bowling in international cricket due to illegal action.
He last took part in a Test match against India in October 2024. Since then, he has not played for his national team but has played regularly for franchise cricket.
If any player does not retire, he is definitely available for selection – Faruque Ahmed
Meanwhile, Faruque Ahmed said that Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are still available to play for Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy, but added that he is unaware of Shakib Al Hasan’s involvement in the BPL.
“If any player does not retire, he is definitely available to be selected (for the Champions Trophy),” Faruque told reporters after the board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“Shakib’s issue is a totally different issue and there is nothing new. In the last West Indies tour he was not mentally fit to play and now Shakib will say whether he will play in the BPL or what his condition is and I can’t say anything because I don’t have any updates on him,” he said.
As far as Tamim is concerned, look at what the chief selector – Faruque Ahmed said
The BCB president added that Tamim Iqbal has not retired yet and if the team management feels he needs him, the selection committee led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain will hold talks with him.
“As far as Tamim is concerned, look at what the head of selection said. There is no policy and if a player has not yet retired and the selectors believe that he is necessary for the team, in that case the selection committee will have to talk to that particular player,” he said.
Finally, Faruque stated that they will make a final decision on Najmul Hossain Shanto’s future as skipper after December. Notably, Shanto had expressed his desire to step down but changed his mind after discussions with the BCB president.
“We have just completed a series and there is nothing ahead of the Champions Trophy as the boys will play in the BPL so we have time on our hands. We have not discussed anything about it. We will discuss it when the time comes. We will decide later 14 December (about Shanto’s captaincy),” he added.