Shakib Al Hasan To Get Nod? Bangladesh Appoints New Chief Selector

Shakib Al Hasan and Aminul Islam Bulbul [Source: X]

Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar Sumon is all set to take over as the new chief selector of the national cricket team after accepting an offer from the nation's cricket board. This opens a doorway for another former captain Shakib Al Hasan, who has been in recent talks of re-joining the team after a long unintended hiatus.

An official announcement is expected after the board's upcoming meeting, marking the arrival of a familiar and experienced face in one of the most challenging positions for the nation. Bashar, who have earlier supported Shakib Al Hasan publicly during his 2019 ICC ban, can vouch the latter's comeback with him at the selector's throne.

Bashar, A Cricketer Who Knows What Bangladesh Needs

There is no doubt about Bashar's credentials as a former cricketer. He has played 50 Tests and 111 One-Day Internationals for his country, leading the country in one of the most developmental phases of their cricketing journey.

Bashar is not new to the selection committee though. He first joined the national selection committee in 2016 and remained there for eight years, serving under chief selectors Faruque Ahmed and later Minhajul Abedin Nannu.

However, this time around, he takes over the reins of the selection committee himself, inheriting a selection panel and a team in dire need of guidance and stability that might also see the return of veteran Shakib Al Hasan to the national team.

Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan Miraculously In For Bangladesh At 2027 World Cup

Bashar’s Appointment To Find Core Changes

Bashar has been working as the Game Development Coordinator at the BCB for the past few years. This is one of the most important internal units of the board, and he has also been working closely with the women's wing, giving him a well-rounded view of the entire Bangladesh cricketing setup.

His appointment comes as the current chief selector of Bangladesh, Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu has confirmed that he does not want to continue in the position. His term is set to expire this month, and with that, he has decided not to extend his term, leaving the BCB to look for a replacement.

The current selection panel also consists of former national cricketer Hasibul Hossain Shanto, and there are talks of adding another member to the panel, with Sajjad Ahmed Shipon's name being floated around.

Bangladesh Cricket Board Under Pressure After T20 World Cup Humiliation

Bashar's appointment comes at a time that is one of the most tumultuous in recent BCB history. The T20 World Cup 2026 campaign of the Bangladesh national team was nothing short of a disaster, as the side had a controversial exit that left the cricketing nation in a state of shock.

The high-profile termination of Mustafizur Rahman's IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders, as per BCCI instruction brought to the fore the precarious position that the Bengal Tigers find themselves in within the larger franchise structure.

The overall T20 World Cup 2026 exit, Scotland replacing the team and a newfound enthusiasm to mend ties with the Indian cricket team again will test the patience as well as the skills of Bashar.

Habibul Bashar Sumon finds himself in the midst with a clear agenda of restoring credibility and rebuilding the selection mechanism from scratch.

Whether his experience and temperament will be enough to calm a ship that has been rocking for a while now is the key question.

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