In a notable shake-up of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Habibul Bashar Sumon has been appointed as the chief selector, with Naeem Islam and Nadif Chowdhury joining as assistant selectors. The announcement came on Monday, 23 March 2026, through an official BCB press release, confirming the new panel alongside Hasibul Hossain Shanto, who continues from the previous team.
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Profile of the Chief Selector
Habibul Bashar, aged 53, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as a selector for both the national men’s team and the women’s team. Celebrated as one of Bangladesh’s finest batsmen, Bashar holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score 3,000 Test runs, underscoring his remarkable career and strategic understanding of the game.
BCB officials highlighted his in-depth knowledge of domestic and international cricket, making him well-suited to guide team selection for upcoming major tournaments.
Assistant Selectors
Joining Bashar are two former cricketers with extensive playing and coaching experience:
- Naeem Islam – A prolific all-format batsman with over 20,000 career runs, Naeem holds the record for the highest number of first-class centuries by a Bangladeshi player, with 34 centuries. His expertise in domestic cricket is expected to bolster talent identification and strategic selection decisions.
- Nadif Chowdhury – Former Bangladesh T20 international, Nadif has experience as an age-group selector, focusing on identifying and nurturing young talent. His knowledge of youth development programmes will support the growth of emerging cricketers.
Continuing from the previous panel, Hasibul Hossain Shanto, a former pace bowler, brings continuity, having served since September 2025 under the leadership of Gazi Ashraf Hossain.
Mandate and Responsibilities
The new panel will serve until the 2027 ICC One Day World Cup, including the pivotal responsibility of assembling the national squad for the tournament in Africa. Their duties include:
- Senior team selection for all formats
- Talent scouting and performance assessment in domestic and international cricket
- Monitoring emerging players to ensure long-term team development
Key Details of the Selection Panel
| Position | Name | Background / Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Selector | Habibul Bashar Sumon | Former national batsman; first Bangladeshi to score 3,000 Test runs; experienced in men’s & women’s team selection |
| Assistant Selector | Naeem Islam | Over 20,000 career runs; 34 first-class centuries; veteran of domestic & international cricket |
| Assistant Selector | Nadif Chowdhury | Former T20 international; experience in youth/age-group selection; talent development expertise |
| Existing Panel Member | Hasibul Hossain Shanto | Former pace bowler; part of previous panel since Sept 2025 |
Outlook
The BCB aims to combine veteran insight with youth-focused scouting, ensuring immediate competitive performance while developing the next generation of Bangladesh cricketers. Analysts anticipate the panel will prioritise ICC tournament readiness alongside strengthening the domestic talent pipeline.
This appointment represents a strategic step in Bangladesh cricket’s long-term planning, setting the stage for a strong campaign at the 2027 ICC One Day World Cup and beyond.