What comes next? Will Shakib Al Hasan ultimately tour South Africa or will he only be available for the Test series? Does the team management have any failsafe mechanism in place if the premier all-rounder ultimately sticks to skipping the series?

There was no definite comeback from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday and perhaps a follow-up response from Shakib would clear the air after he fired the opening salvo on Sunday night saying he was neither mentally nor physically prepared for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

It seems Shakib had been moving towards the fag end of his career with his own plan but the game's governing body in the country were not sure about what kind of plan they should take to avoid this kind of chaos, occuring time and again, surrounding the availability of the star all-rounder.

While talking to The Daily Star over phone yesterday, the BCB president Nazmul Hassan mentioned that Shakib aside, other senior players have also presented such issues like Tamim Iqbal, who announced his T20I sabbatical for six months in January this year but remained open for a return for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.

 Hassan also recalled the saga surrounding Mahmudullah Riyad's sudden Test retirement last year. 

"They (senior players) have served our cricket immensely. Their contribution is huge but the problem is that they are now at the tail end of their career," Hassan dictated. 

 "They are actually confused regarding their future, I believe. We need to sit face to face with them to solve the issue.

"See, if a player like Shakib agrees to play and then says no, what can we do? Look, if he wants to play and I say no, then think about the criticism I have to face in consequence.

 "I kept saying that I and the board have no problem if someone doesn't want to play but they must let us know earlier. They have to submit their written plan," Hassan continued further.

"We gave them enough room to do this kind of things because of their contribution but you cannot allow after a certain level," warned the BCB boss who, however, found something new in Shakib's latest episode as he was taken aback by the content of the statement of the all-rounder and the timing and place of his announcement as well.

"If someone doesn't enjoy, then there is no point in playing, he could discuss it with team management and the board. Rather he [Shakib] told all those things at the airport. If a player like Shakib doesn't enjoy, then it will affect other players because they follow them," Hassan opined.

Asked whether Shakib had any communication with captain, coach or anyone else from the team management, Hassan replied, "No, no, this is the problem. The situation is not normal."

While Shakib has fussed over not receiving a long-term plan from BCB, the board had repeatedly accused the same from senior players for failing to submit their long-term plans. Thus, this bizarre feedback loop of miscommunication has created a state of sustained chaos.

Hassan, however, reminded that the board are now going to dictate the terms regarding the players' involvement.

 "They have given written consent and then proceed to do what they like. It cannot happen.

 "Who plays what format will be decided by the team management and the board because we'll not be able to form a team if this practice continues?

 "We will not abide by their conditions. Instead, they have to follow the board's rules since they signed a contract. Team interest must come first," the board president reiterated.

Shakib's latest revelation may have given enough indications about his concern for the teammates and country while the BCB boss has appeared to have brought forth the team's interest to the forefront.

But would the notion of 'team is greater than any individual' be a reality for Bangladesh cricket under current circumstances?