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The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday appointed former national team pacer Hasibul Hossain Shanto as a men’s team selector and former women’s team captain Salma Khatun as a women’s selector.

With the appointment, Salma became the first woman cricketer of the country to take such a role, which was remarked as a ‘revolutionary decision’ by the BCB media committee chairman, Iftekhar Rahman Mithu.

‘We had a short meeting where we made four to five key decisions. One of them was the appointment of Salma Khatun as the first-ever woman selector for our women’s national team,’ Mithu told the reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium after the meeting.

Salma was named ICC’s best bowler and top all-rounder back in 2014-15. She captained Bangladesh and has been a pillar of women’s cricket in the country.

‘I think this is a revolutionary decision by our president, as having someone like Salma involved will provide great support for women’s cricket. This is the first time such an appointment has been made in Bangladesh,’ he said.

Salma, who still hasn’t retired from all forms of cricket, will be working alongside Sazzad Ahmed, who is currently serving as the chief selector for the women’s side.

Meanwhile, Hasibul was added to the selector’s panel alongside chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu and Abdur Razzak.

Hasibul has previously worked in various capacities at the BCB after his playing career, he will join as the third selector, a role which has been vacant since February, when former opener Hannan Sarkar stepped down to focus on coaching. 

‘There was a vacant spot in the men’s selection panel. Hasibul Hossain Shanto has been selected to fill that position,’ said Mithu.

‘His experience, involvement with the Bangladesh team, and the interview process were all taken into consideration. As you know, there are one or two others working as selectors elsewhere, but Hasibul was brought in because he is more experienced. Having played at the top level for Bangladesh for a long time, he was the natural choice for the role,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Agrani Bank Cricket Club has sent a letter stating not to participate in this year’s Premier League to BCB.

However, the board requested the club to withdraw their decision.

‘According to the rules, they are supposed to be relegated to the First Division. However, we have decided to request them not to withdraw from the league, as they are one of the oldest and most traditional clubs in the competition.’ 

Mithu also revealed that they will make their decision on the ongoing dispute regarding the ownership of four clubs on Sunday while the voters’ list of the upcoming board of directors election will be approved on the following day.

‘There has also been an ongoing dispute regarding the ownership of four clubs. A one-member committee was supposed to make a decision on the matter today, but the committee has requested one more day to review the report thoroughly and will present its findings tomorrow.’