Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selector Abdur Razzak mentioned that it is not easy for the board to keep Shakib Al Hasan out of consideration for any specific format despite all the fuss surrounding the all-rounder's availability for all formats of the game.   

"Shakib has not stepped away from any format yet. And Shakib is a player of such a stature that it is difficult for the board to remove him from any specific format if he does not do so on his own," said Razzak to the media at the BCB headquarters in Mirpur today. 

BCB yesterday announced a 21-member central contract list keeping Shakib in all formats. It was just a day after Shakib was allowed a rest from all forms of cricket till April 30 after the cricketer had informed the media that he is 'mentally and physically unfit' to play.

There have been questions over Shakib's availability for Tests for some time now. Shakib had opted out of the Tigers' recent two-Test tour of New Zealand citing family reasons. He also missed the Sri Lanka Test series last year. 

Shakib also wanted a rest from cricket till November this year but the BCB only granted him leave till after the upcoming South Africa tour.  

Explaining the reason why BCB handed Shakib a contract for all three formats, Razzak said: "Shakib's request for a six-month break [till November this year] was not official. And if someone takes a leave for two series [three-match ODI series and a two-match Test series in South Africa], that doesn't mean that we can not keep him in contract for all three formats." 

BCB selector Razzak was seemingly uncomfortable when asked further questions regarding the Shakib issue. 

"We did not get to talk to Shakib in detail about the matter. As we could not talk in detail, it is difficult to make any comments. Once we talk with him, we will let you know. Also, what would you have done if you were a BCB selector? Would you have kept Shakib in the team or left him out?" 

Shakib, who returned to the country yesterday from his trip to Dubai, will be meeting with the BCB in the next few days regarding his availability for the upcoming series.