National team chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said yesterday at a press conference that they are willing to sit down with Tamim Iqbal to discuss his availability for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy but provided no insights on what the board's plans are regarding Shakib Al Hasan.

"Everybody is already aware of Shakib's issue. I cannot provide any clear statement on that matter. As for Tamim, he has resumed playing [in NCL T20], which is a good sign. I believe we'll know very soon whether he will be available [for selection] or not. If he is, that would be wonderful!" Lipu told reporters in Mirpur.

"We are in a position to discuss things with him [Tamim]. The board and the selectors will sit together to find a solution," Lipu said, adding that Tamim's fitness should not be a concern as the board would provide him 'help' to get ready.

With the Champions Trophy set to begin in February next year, the selectors should ideally already have in mind what the squad should be in the event, which unfortunately seems not to be the case as the Tamim and Shakib question still hangs in the air.

Tamim has not been with the Bangladesh team in any format since last year's September but is active in domestic and franchise cricket.

Shakib, meanwhile, last played in the India tour in September-October and has not returned to the country since the fall of the Awami League government, of which he was a part of as a lawmaker.

The all-rounder's bowling action was also recently ruled illegal and until he clears it in an ICC authorised laboratory, he cannot bowl in competitive cricket, which further complicates his situation.

"When selecting a team, we follow a procedure… The physio and trainers inform us which players are available. If there are other issues beyond that, such as political or even something else and we are notified by the board about a player's unavailability for a series, we follow that guidance," Lipu said, adding they are waiting for board's guidance on Shakib.