New Delhi: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has delayed the announcement of the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. The deadline for the squad announcement is January 12 and the selectors are willing to wait and see if Tamim Iqbal wants to make a comeback to international cricket having last played in September 2023. The Bangladesh chief selector started the talks with Tamim, who is currently the captain of Fortune Barishal in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s participation in the tournament is also in doubt as the Board is awaiting the test result of his bowling action. Bangladesh will play their first Champions Trophy match against India in Dubai on February 20. The star all-rounder was forced to undergo a second test in Chennai after the result of his first test from Loughborough University, England, came negative.

The test result, which came on December 15, 2024, had prevented him from bowling left-arm spin in domestic or international cricket. Shakib is in contention for a place in Champions Trophy team after skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and BCB president Faruque Ahmed decided in favour of his inclusion. He last played for Bangladesh in the two-match Test series against India which they lost by 2-0. The 37-year-old could not return to the country because of student protest instead he participated in the County Cricket in England.

‘Shocking to hear that Shakib couldn’t pass the bowling action test’: BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain

BCB’s chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said that it was very shocking to hear that the all-rounder couldn’t pass his bowling action Test.

“We have to wait for this information. The board hasn’t instructed us fully on Shakib. I think every minute counts. I am sure we can clarify this in a day or two” Hossain was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.