Rafiqul Alam to head Bangladesh selection panel

Rafiqul Alam, the former Bangladesh batsman, has replaced Faruque Ahmed as Bangladesh's new chairman of selectors, the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced today. Naimur Rahman, Bangladesh's first Test captain, is the other change in the selection panel and he replaces Athar Ali Khan.

The new selectors were appointed by a panel appointed by the ad-hoc executive committee of the board and will begin their duties from September 1. Akram Khan continues as selector. The changes were necessitated as the contracts of Athar Ali Khan and Ahmed expire at the end of the month.

"We commended the previous selectors' work over the past four years but we thought that there was a need for change," Shafiqur Rahman Munna, the head of the sub-committee that appointed the selectors, told Daily Star. "I think we have selected two competent individuals for the demanding job because they not only played for the national side but have adequate knowledge of the domestic and international cricket.

"We will maintain the same salary structure for the selectors, something that was made by our previous committee, but there will be some changes in the terms and conditions. We met with both the new selectors before finalising their names. We want hundred per cent commitment in the job because now it is no more an amateur duty."

Alam said the focus will be on improving Bangladesh's Test record. "I would not like to comment on the previous committee. What I must say is that we are quite a handful side in one-dayers now but are far, far behind in Tests and our focus should be on the longer-version."

Alam played two one-dayers during the tour of Sri Lanka in 1986. He is also a match-referee with the board and has been involved in coaching as well.

Offspinner Rahman led Bangladesh in its first ever Test, against India in Dhaka in 2000. He played eight Tests and 29 ODIs and was the first Bangladesh bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Tests, incidentally in their maiden Test.