Akram Khan named Bangladesh chief selector

Former Bangladesh captain Akram Khan has been named the chief selector by the board. He will lead a three-man committee that includes Habibul Bashar and Minhajul Abedin, who are also former national captains. The new panel will take charge from June.

Akram led Bangladesh to victory in the historical win in the ICC Trophy in 1997, while Bashar led Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup, where they pulled off surprise wins against South Africa and India. Abedin, who was a part of the playing XI in Bangladesh's first official ODI in the '80s, retired after the 1999 World Cup where he averaged 70.00 with two half-centuries - including one against Australia - in four innings.

Akram was a member of the outgoing selection committee, whose tenure was not renewed after it ended on April 30. The decision was taken as part of a revamp of the Bangladesh cricket setup, after a disappointing 2011 World Cup performance.

Coach Jamie Siddons departed earlier this month, after Bangladesh lost 3-0 to Australia at home, while a host of support staff are either leaving or under review. While bowling coach Ian Pont has already parted ways with Bangladesh cricket, strength and conditioning coach Grant Trafford Luden will stay on for another year. The future prospects of fielding coach Julien Fountain and physio Michael Henry are not yet clear.