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DHAKA, Jan 8, 2025 (BSS) - Opener Tamim Iqbal will take decision to play the Champion Trophy after discussing with his family and close friends, said Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu.

He said Tamim sought some days to respond on this issue. 

“There was no immediate decision on this issue. Tamim will discuss with his family, friends and his well-wishers before taking a final decision,” Ashraf said after a meeting with Tamim in a hotel in Sylhet today. 

“The issue of discussion should remain between us. I will not answer directly. We will have to wait for the final decision. The selectors have asked the board whether he (Tamim) is available for the process or not. I did not get a complete answer. I hope everything will be clear in a day or two.”

The BCB will have to send a 15-member team for the Champions Trophy to the ICC by January 12. 

Although the selectors wanted Tamim in the Champions Trophy team, reports suggested that Tamim would not play international cricket again. Tamim was also heard saying this in a video recently posted on the YouTube channel of BPL team Chittagong Kings' brand ambassador Shahid Afridi.

It is mainly for these reasons that the selection committee has sought Tamim's opinion before selecting the final team. Even in the first round of discussions today, Tamim had informed the selectors that he would no longer play international cricket. But a few minutes later the selectors again spoke to Tamim and in this discussion, Tamim finally became somewhat positive and asked for some time to make a final decision.

Apart from the chief selector, two other selectors Abdur Razzak and Hannan Sarkar were present during the meeting with Tamim. 

It is learnt captain Nazmul Hossain and one or two other cricketers of the team have also requested Tamim to play in the Champions Trophy.