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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed on Saturday categorically said Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, the senior two cricketers who haven't been in the national setup for a long time are available for the selection of the Champions Trophy next year.
Ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan's issue has been complicated as he didn't return to the country following the ouster of the Awami League government in which he was a former lawmaker, BSS reports.
Recently he has also been banned from bowling after his bowling action was found to be illegal. But he will continue to bat.
Tamim Iqbal meanwhile has been absent from International cricket since the last year following his scuffle with the then BCB management, led by Nazmul Hassan Papon.
Faruque said since the senior duo doesn't retire from International cricket, technically there is no bar on them if the selectors feel that their service is needed for the national team.
"There is no policy yet in this regard. They are not amongst them who retired from the cricket and if the selectors think their service is needed, then they (selection panel) can talk to them," Faruque said today after a board of directors' meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
When asked whether they are available, Faruque further said, "I have told you one thing, if a cricketer isn't retired, he is definitely available for selection."
Earlier, chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu had expressed his hope to get Tamim after his excellent performance in the NCL T20. However, he put the ball in BCB's court.
"Tamim Iqbal has started playing, which gives us hope. I believe we will soon be able to know whether he will be available for the Champions Trophy or not. If he is available, then it's great," Ashraf said.
Although the BCB President said that Shakib is available like Tamim for the Champions Trophy, he could not give any new information about the allrounder.
"The issue of Shakib is a completely different matter. This is nothing new. The last time we played in the West Indies, he was not in the mental state to play International cricket and so he was unavailable," Faruque said.
"Now only Shakib can actually say whether he will play in the BPL... I can't really say about his condition. I don't have any update on him."
Tamim is playing in the NCL currently and will also lead Fortune Barishal in BPL, which starts on December 30. Shakib though couldn't come to the country, he is playing franchise cricket.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held on February 19. The tournament will be played in a hybrid model. Although the matter is final, the schedule has not been announced yet.