Bangladesh Names Habibul Bashar Chief Selector for 2027 World Cup

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-03-24

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made a significant move, appointing former captain Habibul Bashar as the new chairman of the men's national team selection committee. He steps into the role following Gazi Ashraf, whose term concluded in February. This isn't just a routine change—it's a strategic appointment with a clear, long-term vision. The newly formed four-member panel has a specific and weighty mandate: to guide the team all the way to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027, which is scheduled for Africa in October and November of that year. The board is clearly thinking ahead, putting a team in place now to build for the future. ### A Familiar Face Returns to a Key Role Bringing Bashar back is a nod to experience and institutional knowledge. At 53, he's a respected figure in Bangladeshi cricket. As a player, he captained the side in 18 Tests and 69 ODIs, and he still holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi batter to score over 3,000 runs in Test cricket. His recent history with the BCB made him a natural choice. He served as a men's selector for over a decade starting in 2013, then briefly led the women's wing. Most recently, he was heading up age-group cricket. When the board needed a new chief selector last month, they didn't have to look far. He was already in the building, deeply connected to the player pipeline.  ### Building a Panel of Insiders Bashar won't be working in a vacuum. The BCB has smartly built a panel that blends continuity with fresh, ground-level insight. - **Hasibul Hossain** has been retained from the previous committee, providing stability. - **Naeem Islam**, 39, is a domestic cricket legend. With over 11,000 first-class runs and a national record 34 centuries, he's still actively playing. That means he walks into the job with an intimate, current understanding of the domestic scene—something a retired selector might lack. - **Nadif Chowdhury**, 38, rounds out the group. He's spent the last year as an age-group selector, so he knows the young talents knocking on the door. His move to the senior panel is a logical step that ensures the selectors are tuned into the development pathway. This composition tells a story. The BCB wanted selectors who aren't just former stars, but individuals who've stayed deeply embedded in the game's ecosystem, whether through playing, administration, or development. ### The Selection Process and the Road Ahead The board advertised the positions last month and interviewed several notable former players. Names like Javed Omar and Mohammad Rafique were reportedly in the mix. The fact they moved quickly and appointed Bashar—someone already on the payroll—suggests they had a very specific profile in mind from the start. So, what's the job? It's a big one. The panel inherits a national team in a period of transition. The 2027 World Cup is the clear, shining target on the horizon. Every selection decision from now until then will be made with that tournament in mind. The calendar is packed with matches across all three formats, meaning these selectors will have to make tough calls quickly. They'll need to balance short-term results with long-term team building. It's a delicate act. Bashar's unique experience across men's, women's, and age-group cricket within the BCB gives him a rare, 360-degree view of how the board operates. That institutional knowledge could be his greatest asset as he leads this new committee. Their success won't be judged by tomorrow's headlines, but by the team they assemble for Africa in 2027.