The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon admitted that speculations about the deteriorating relationship between the two national team stalwarts, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, are indeed true. 

Previously, a lot of rumours surrounding the issue emerged, especially from outside the team management, with the two cricketers sidestepping the issue whenever raised by the media.

However, in an interview published by Cricbuzz on Saturday, the BCB boss admitted that there has been a rift between the duo and that it has been the case for some time now. Hassan revealed that the environment of the dressing room due to this has been affected. He also took upon the task of setting things straight between the two but admitted that the issues at hand would be difficult to sort out.

The cold shoulder between two of the biggest egos in the Tigers' dressing room is bound to reek into the team environment but Hassan asserted that upon his demand, the two players assured that they wouldn't let their issues affect the team, especially on the field.

"This is not a healthy dressing room, this I can guarantee you. This thing [rift between Shakib and Tamim], it's not that I have not tried to sort it out. I have spoken with both of them and I felt that it is not easy to settle the issues [between them] at the moment. This is my observation. Both of them have been given one message -- we don't know what is going on between you, but during a game or series that you are playing, these differences cannot come out. Both of them assured that it won't be there during the game," Hassan was quoted as saying in the interview.

"They [Shakib and Tamim] have to talk on the field and in the dressing room as well. The atmosphere of the dressing room was bad too, but it improved a bit. From this series [upcoming home series against England from March 1] I want to change it [their relationship] in the dressing room at least. What they do outside is not a concern for me," he added.

The Daily Star contacted the BCB boss and he admitted that the tensions between the two players have been prevalent and he couldn't get to the bottom of the issue which he said is harmful to the next generation of players as there are many who idolise two of Bangladesh's finest.

"It is quite unfortunate that we have to face an issue like this. It is not fruitful for our cricket and is harmful for the younger generation of players who look up to them," Hassan told The Daily Star.