Salma Khatun Becomes Bangladesh’s First Woman Selector

Bangladesh Cricket Board has appointed Salma Khatun as the country’s first woman selector, a landmark decision for the women’s game in Bangladesh. The former captain joins Sazzad Ahmed on the senior women’s selection panel as the team enters final preparation for next month’s Women’s World Cup in the subcontinent.

Why This Matters

This is the first time a woman has been appointed to a national selection role in Bangladesh women’s cricket. Salma brings recent international experience, leadership know‑how, and a deep understanding of the domestic pipeline. Her voice adds representation from the dressing room to the decision table, which can improve talent identification, role clarity, and succession planning ahead of a major global event.

Salma Khatun’s Career At A Glance

• First captain of Bangladesh women in international cricket, leading the side in 65 T20Is and 18 ODIs.

• One of Bangladesh’s most-capped players, featuring in 95 T20Is and 46 ODIs overall.

• Ranked ICC No. 1 bowler in women’s T20Is in 2014 and 2015.

• 84 T20I wickets at an average of 18.57; best figures 4 for 6 vs Sri Lanka.

• A senior pro from Khulna who helped shape Bangladesh’s rise, including the Asia-level breakthroughs and global tournament strides.

What The Board Says

BCB’s media committee chairman called the move a “revolutionary decision,” noting that Salma’s appointment can directly strengthen women’s cricket. It signals intent: bring proven cricketers into selection, sharpen standards, and bridge the gap between dressing room needs and selection policy. Timing also matters—Bangladesh are entering the World Cup window; having a selector with fresh match experience can enhance selection balance and role definition.

How The Panel Shapes Up

Salma will work with Sazzad Ahmed on the senior women’s panel, which watches domestic form, injury status, and role fit across formats. With World Cup squads typically limited and contingency rules tight, the panel’s calls on backup pace, spin depth, and finishing roles will be decisive. Expect more structured scouting at domestic events and clearer communication with the coaching staff on combinations.

Men’s Panel Update

Former fast bowler Hasibul Hossain has been promoted to the senior men’s selection panel, filling a vacancy. He joins chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain and Abdur Razzak. Hasibul, who played Bangladesh’s inaugural Test in 2000 and has worked closely with age‑group cricket, adds long‑form insight and junior-to-senior transition experience.

What It Could Change For The Women’s Team

• Selection lens from a modern player-leader: Salma’s vantage point can refine choices for powerplay roles, middle‑overs spin, and lower‑order finishing.

• Better pipeline management: closer tracking of emerging spinners and seam-bowling allrounders to suit subcontinental conditions.

• Role clarity: aligning selections with game plans—powerplay strike rotation, middle-overs control, and death-overs hitting/bowling discipline.

Immediate World Cup Context

Bangladesh are in the final phase before the Women’s World Cup. Squad rhythm, fitness checks, and warm‑up form will weigh on final elevens. The selection panel must balance experience with spark: steady openers, a reliable spin core, and at least one pace option capable of powerplay shape and old‑ball cutters. In close games, fielding and running between wickets often decide outcomes; expect selection emphasis on athleticism and game awareness.

Salma’s Edge As A Selector

Salma has lived subcontinental ODI and T20 rhythms: reading surfaces, squeezing middle overs with offspin, and guiding young players under pressure. That lived experience—what works on slow decks, when to take the risk, and how to use matchups—can translate into sharper selections and clearer roles. Her presence also signals to current players that performance pathways are open and meritocratic.

The Bigger Picture

This appointment is more than a list change. It formalizes a path for women cricketers into cricket governance and decision-making. If the move improves selection depth, role clarity, and communication, Bangladesh can build a more consistent women’s side for this World Cup cycle and beyond.