Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is still banned from bowling in all tournaments following an affray on an independent reassessment test at the Sri Ramachandra Centre for Sports Science in Chennai, India which was conducted last month. Earlier in December, Cricbuzz said Shakib failed the tests in England but gave another assessment in Chennai on December 21.
“Consequently, the player’s existing suspension from bowling in international cricket following the initial independent assessment at the testing centre of Loughborough University in the UK, also remains in place,” BCB said in a statement. “A successful reassessment is required for the bowling suspension to be lifted. While Shakib is currently unable to bowl, he is eligible to continue playing as a batsman in all forms of domestic and international cricket.”
Selection Panel Doubts Shakib Al Hasan’s Champions Trophy Chances Without Bowling Role
However, a member of the selection panel, who preferred to remain anonymous, said in an interview with the Cricbuzz that Shakib has little chances to be in the Champions Trophy team. “If Shakib is not bowling then chance is really very less (to play in the Champions Trophy).”
“Tamim is sorted (having announced retirement), and Shakib needs to come after giving his third (bowling reassessment) test and I am in doubt regarding his chances in the tournament,” he said. “So you can say that we are preparing the squad without them (Tamim and Shakib) as we will not be thinking of Shakib if he is not bowling. If BCB feels that he can come after the test, we can go for replacement as we have time,” he said.
Selection Panel Contemplates Litton Das’ Role Amid Poor Form in 2024
The selection panel has already decided on the two seniors, but the debate is still on regarding Litton Das, whether to play him at the top of the order. Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar, who has recently recovered from finger injury, are expected to replace Litton for the opening spot mostly due to the poor performance of the later in the format in 2024. The wicketkeeper batter has scored a total of six runs in 5 ODIs and 309 runs in 21 T20Is.
As to whether Litton will be chosen as the third opener — that seems to be the debate with quite a few other names also in the minds of the selection panel.
“We are stuck with one slot in the opening position. We will sit soon and finalise it,” he said. “There are quite a few names like Parvez Hossain Emon and Saif Hassan while Anamul is also scoring regularly. Whether we will take a new face in the Champions Trophy is a matter of discussion and Emon is a bit ahead of Saif in this regard,”