Bangladesh selectors in focus as tenure runs out

Bangladesh's three-member selection committee's tenure ends today. The committee comprised three former captains, Akram Khan - the chief selector - Minhajul Abedin and Habibul Bashar, whose contracts ran for two years. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) however hasn't discussed the future of the panel, which could mean it will have to function until new selectors are named.

Wholesale changes don't seem likely at this stage, given the success of the incumbents. However, the cricket operations committee, under which the selection committee works, is keen on increasing the number of selectors from three to five. "The [number of] matches have gone up, and they have to select a lot of teams," Enayet Hossain Siraj, the operations committee chairman, said. "So, the cricket operations committee will pitch the idea of increasing the number of selectors [at the BCB's board meeting].

"We cannot mention the possible ex-players who will be part of the selection committee, because the even BCB hasn't heard of it from us yet. I don't see any reason to change the current members of the selection panel, although if they don't want to stay, it's a different matter."

Traditionally, the BCB has named one of the already-serving selectors as chief. Akram, for example, served under Rafiqul Alam before becoming the chief. Now Akram has his eyes on a high-ranking position within the board, though, which could mean the search for a new selector and a chief. Akram could stand in the BCB elections, vying for one of the directors' posts representing Chittagong, his home division.

"I have plans to get on the board, but it is still a very early stage. I will have to discuss it with the board president first," Akram told ESPNcricinfo. "We still don't know when the elections will be. As for the selection committee, that too can only be discussed in the board meeting."