Shakib still in BCB’s Champions Trophy plans

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed has said that it remains difficult for Shakib Al Hasan to play for the national team from outside the country since the cricketer cannot come home.

The BCB president, however, stated that Shakib remains in Champions Trophy plans.

Faruque was speaking to the media during an event to promote 'Youth Festival 2025', centered on the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Shakib was advised to not return to the country during the Test series against South Africa at home. He then skipped the Afghanistan ODIs in UAE and it appears he will also not be playing the ODIs in West Indies even as the ODI squad is yet to be announced.

Asked if there are chances of Shakib playing the Champions Trophy, featuring in the tournament from outside the country, Faruque informed that the board still has Shakib in Champions Trophy plans. The tournament is set to take place in February-March next year.

"He [Shakib] is still in the list and we hope that the way he wants it, if there is a solution then definitely he still possesses the capability to play for the national team. But in this way, it's not easy to play from outside the country," Faruque told the media.

Shakib's chances of playing the ODIs in West Indies look slim given how the BCB president felt that playing for the country by remaining outside the team's sphere was a difficult proposition for any player.

"Playing for a franchise and playing for the country are not the same. You need preparation and being able to gel with the team. Since he can't do those things, he is not in a big mental state to play for the country.

"Because of that, we have left this thing up to him on what he wants to think," Faruque said.

The BCB president said that Shakib's participation in the upcoming BPL depends on the law enforcement agencies and the justice system.

"Actually I can't say much about it. If you keep asking me about it, it's embarrassing…I want him to play. But the whole thing, the reasons why he can't come…it's not related to the board. So giving an answer is not easy for me. The law enforcement agencies, courts, they have to mention about it," Faruque said on the matter.