Veteran opener Tamim Iqbal last donned the Bangladesh jersey in April 2023, stepping away before the ODI World Cup later that year. Since then, neither he nor Shakib Al Hasan has participated in the last two ODI series, both critical for shaping the Champions Trophy squad. Despite earlier assurances of change following the 2023 World Cup in India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appears to be wavering yet again.

During the recent ODI series against Afghanistan and the West Indies, the BCB selectors did not indicate any communication with Tamim.

Now, with the Champions Trophy squad submission deadline looming on January 12, the decision to reintroduce a player to a national team plagued by batting consistency raises eyebrows.

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BCB lacking clarity in decision-making

"There is a vast difference between international cricket and domestic cricket. When a player reaches a certain age, they have to consider a lot of things. Tamim has not been in international cricket for a while, so it's a hurried situation if we think that in one meeting we can solve everything," chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said yesterday after meeting with Tamim in Sylhet.

Tamim had previously outlined certain conditions for his return to the national team, though a BCB source clarified that these were not the focal point of yesterday's discussion.

While concerns over Tamim's fitness dominated discussions during the ODI World Cup, it no longer seems to be an issue.

"There is no question over his ability, given he played in the NCL and has ability. Anytime he does [want to return], he is definitely welcome," Lipu said, reaffirming the selectors' willingness to include Tamim..

Thus, it boils down to the selectors' headache regarding the opening slot and batting troubles. Liton Das has not shown form, Soumya Sarkar will be returning after an injury and is yet to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, while another opener, Tanzid Tamim, has not shown consistency. Also, the selectors have kept an eye on Parvez Hossain Emon during the West Indies T20Is and appear to be keeping their options open regarding opening slot selection matters.

The potential return of Tamim raises questions about the selectors' approach during the last two ODI series, where he was excluded. It reflects a cycle of testing alternatives, finding them inadequate, and ultimately resorting back into profiles with experience.

Shakib's situation, on the other hand, adds another layer of complexity. The chief selector confirmed that the board has yet to provide clear directives regarding the availability of Shakib, whose bowling suspension is also a factor.

On December 21 in Chennai, Shakib gave a fitness test but the results were delayed due to the holidays. Shahriar Nafees, in charge of cricket operations, informed The Daily Star: "We don't want to keep any suspense on the matter. The results were to arrive by January 5. Normally it takes 12 days, but there was the New Year and Christmas break, so we are expecting it anytime soon, and the ECB [English Cricket Board] will let us know,"

It seems almost without a doubt that the board has no clear stance on either Tamim or Shakib. Since the 2023 World Cup discussions, Tamim's potential inclusion offers the only hint of change, but the board's indecision suggests they remain tethered to old patterns, leaving the Tigers' future in a state of uncertainty.