The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is actively seeking to bolster its national team selection panel, with reports suggesting Sajjad Ahmed Shipon, currently serving as a selector for the women's team, is a strong candidate to join the ranks.
The move comes after the departure of Hannan Sarkar from the national selector's post in February. Since then, the panel has been operating with just two members, Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu and Abdur Razzak Raj, who have managed the responsibilities for the past five months.
Following a BCB meeting on Monday, President Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed the board's intention to appoint a third selector, acknowledging the significant workload currently faced by the existing duo. While Bulbul refrained from confirming a specific name, he indicated that discussions are ongoing regarding several potential candidates, and no final decision has yet been made. The President emphasised that the two-man panel finds its duties increasingly challenging, necessitating the addition of another member.
Sources within the BCB indicate that contact has already been made with Shipon. It is understood that talks between Shipon and the board are progressing, and if all goes according to plan, he is expected to take on the role of assistant selector for the men's national team. However, his immediate availability may be contingent on his ongoing commitment to the women's team until their upcoming World Cup. The timeframe for Shipon's potential transition to the men's panel remains to be seen.
The addition of a third selector is viewed as a crucial step in distributing the demanding responsibilities of national team selection more effectively, ensuring comprehensive oversight and strategic planning for Bangladesh cricket.
