Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedeen Fahim said the country's veteran duo Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad will have to prove themselves to remain as mainstays of the national team setup.  

It has not been smooth sailing for the duo in recent years as they've come under scrutiny for not being able to make their experience count in crunch situations, particularly in major events. 

Their latest debacle in the ICC Champions Trophy in which Bangladesh crashed out from the group-stage without winning a single match has further intensified talks regarding the future of Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah. The duo was particularly singled out due to their questionable shot selections, especially in the match against New Zealand, which drew the ire of fans, media and experts.

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While 39-year-old Mahmudullah has been amongst the runs, managing four half-centuries in his last 10 innings, Mushfiqur has been a major disappointment for the Tigers. The 37-year-old's batting rut in which he has scored just one half-century in his last 14 innings has immensely impacted the Tigers, and such a run has had many calling for his omission from the side.  

With central contracts on the agenda during today's board meeting, the question was placed to Fahim about the plan of action the BCB would adopt regarding the duo's future, keeping one eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup.

"Very difficult question [whether they will be in future plans]. They have to prove themselves.  Considering their age and performances, it's not my call actually but the selectors', so it wouldn't be right for me to comment. But it's not going to be very easy," Fahim told reporters after a BCB board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.

"We will sit with them both and hear their thoughts." 

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