Former national captain Minhajul Abedin on Wednesday was promoted as the new chief selector of the national cricket team following the resignation of incumbent Faruk Ahmed.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan announced his appointment in a crowded press conference two days after the BCB approved the controversial two-tier selection policy.Faruk, who is currently in USA, told reporters that he will not continue under the new system, which he said will curb the freedom of selectors. BCB president said Faruk did not inform them anything formally as his contract with the Board already expired.
‘The present term of our selection committee expired in December,’ said Nazmul. ‘Now if Faruk does not want to continue we don’t have any problem, though he never raised the issue with me.’
Nazmul also announced that another former national captain Habibul Bashar will return to selection committee, where he will join Minhajul and newly appointed Sazzad Ahmed.
Bashar was earlier given the charge of women’s selection committee.
Nazmul said the new selection committee will work under the new framework, which he said is a continuation of earlier process.
‘The only difference is the inclusion of manager in selection committee. I have noticed in team meeting our players cannot raise their voice against coach. Whatever they feel they inform it to the manager Sujon [Khaled Mahmud]. Manager then comes to me for solution.
‘It happened many times. But I don’t want to get involved so much. So I thought the inclusion of the manager would help,’ he said.
Minhajul, who was first appointed as selector in April 2011, said he does not have any problem to work under the present system.
‘It really feels good,’ said an elated new chief selector Minhajul. ‘I and Suman [Bashar] have been working together for five years. I would like to thank the BCB for my appointment. I will work through the same process which I have been following. Hopefully I will be able help Bangladesh’s cricket improve.
Minhajul also felt there is no basic difference between the new and old selection system.
‘Previously we also had to submit the team to the chairman of cricket operations. Then it went to the president. It’s the same system now. Let’s see how it goes,’ he said.
While BCB president Nazmul claimed that he had to alter the team many times, Minhajul said they did not consider it as interference to their work.
‘If there was interference I don’t think we could work for five years. It’s better not to think too much about it and consider how we can improve Bangladesh’s cricket,’ he said.
-With New Age input
