Habibul Bashar has taken charge as Bangladesh’s chief selector with clear ideas and confidence. He returned to Dhaka after the Eid holidays and spoke about the moment despite feeling tired. “I’ve just returned to Dhaka from the Eid holidays. I drove all the way from Kushtia, so I’m quite tired,” he said. Still, he shared a few early thoughts. “For now, I can only say a few basic things briefly,” he said.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formed a new four-member selection panel. Bashar will lead it. Haseebul Hossain stays from the previous panel. Naeem Islam and Nadif Chowdhury come in as new members. Bashar said this role was always a goal for him. “Yes, of course. I had three terms in the selection panel. I always wanted to become chief selector. It is a huge honour and a big responsibility,” he said.
He explained how the role is different now. “All selectors have responsibilities, but the chief selector carries the most. You have to take responsibility from the front, and there is accountability,” he said. He also spoke about decision making. “When I was a member, I shared my views. The final decision was taken by the chief selector. Now I will have that opportunity,” he said.
Bashar knows that pressure will come with the job. He has faced it before. “Being in discussions and criticism is nothing new for me. I have spent most of my life with it,” he said. He also spoke about how things have changed. “In the last four to five years, it has gone to another level. We have to accept that reality,” he said.
He enjoyed his time away from the spotlight in recent years. “To be honest, I enjoyed being away from the limelight. There was not much pressure,” he said. Now he wants to focus on his work. “Whenever I take on a role, I try to give myself fully. I want to work with honesty,” he said. He is not worried about outside opinions. “If I can do that and people recognise it, that is good. Even if they do not, it is fine. I want to stay true to myself,” he said.
Consistency is one of his main targets. “I want consistency. I want consistency in decision-making,” he said.
He also spoke about communication with players. “There will always be a clear message. But it is difficult to explain things to each individual,” he said. At the same time, he made his plan clear. “That should definitely be explained, and we will do that. Players can also ask anything they want. It should be a normal practice,” he said.
Bashar backed the new members of his panel. “He understands domestic cricket deeply. I hope he will do well,” he said about Naeem Islam. He also praised the group as a whole. “They have all been involved in cricket for many years. That will be a big advantage for us,” he said.
The panel has four members, but Bashar is not concerned. “Whether it is three, four or six members, the final decision rests with the chief selector. So it will not be an issue,” he said.
Bashar now starts a new chapter with a clear plan. He wants to be honest in his work and steady in his decisions. “I want to stay true to myself,” he said.
