Rumana eyes selector role

Bangladesh’s former women cricketers are set to remain involved in the game after retirement, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Women’s Wing planning to appoint eight female coaches on Wednesday across the country’s eight divisions.

Senior all-rounder Rumana Ahmed is also being considered for a selection role.

Four of the proposed coaches, Shamima Sultana, Ayasha Rahman Shuktara, Shahanaz Parvin and Reshma Akter Aduri, are former Bangladesh internationals. The other four have domestic cricket experience.

Their appointments are expected to be approved at the next BCB board meeting.

“We want women’s cricket coaching in all eight divisions to be handled by women. After issuing an advertisement, we selected eight coaches based on their CVs and career profiles. We gave priority to those who played for the Bangladesh national women’s team, while also considering former cricketers with coaching certificates,” Women’s Wing chairman Rafiqul Islam Babu told Daily Sun.

Shamima is set to take charge of Dhaka. The former wicketkeeper-batter played 17 ODIs and 64 T20Is for Bangladesh and was part of the 2018 Asia Cup-winning side. She completed a Level-2 coaching course after ending her international career.

Shuktara, a member of Bangladesh’s 2014 Asian Games silver-medal and 2018 Asia Cup-winning teams, will coach Khulna. She played as a regular opener between 2011 and 2020 and has completed a Level-1 coaching course.

Shahanaz will oversee Sylhet, while 2007 ACC Women’s Trophy winner Aduri is set to coach Mymensingh. Tamalika Sumona, Parmita Dutta, Ismat Jahan and Arifa Jahan Bithi will take charge of the other four divisions.

The Women’s Wing also wants former players to join selection panels and team management at national, ‘A’ and age-group levels.

Former Bangladesh captain Salma Khatun has already been appointed as a selector for the Under-19 women’s team.

Regarding Rumana’s consideration as a selector, Babu mentioned,

“Rumana has expressed her interest in becoming a selector. We will have to give her a responsibility.”

The 35-year-old all-rounder has not played international cricket since the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup and has not formally retired. She recently worked on the technical committee at the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai.

“We wanted to see Romana as a coach, but she is interested in becoming a selector,” Babu added.

The latest initiative reflects the BCB Women’s Wing’s plan to use the experience of former women cricketers in coaching, selection and team management rather than see them drift away from the game after retirement.