Bashar backs selection panel amid interference talk

Chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon has defended the independence of Bangladesh’s selection panel amid questions over outside interference, insisting that the selectors remain confident in their decisions ahead of the two-Test series against the West Indies.

“We do not believe in conspiracy theories. As selectors, we choose the team completely independently, and we have full confidence in the squad,” Bashar told reporters on Friday.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the opening Test, bringing back fast bowler Taskin Ahmed while retaining wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, who recently recovered from injury. Bashar said, “There is some uncertainty surrounding Litton Das’s fitness, but we are hopeful that he will recover in time.”

The first Test will begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday, with Bangladesh aiming to strengthen their position in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Bashar admitted that missing Nahid Rana would be a blow but expressed confidence in the available pace options. “Nahid would have been an X-factor in the team, but we remain optimistic about our current pace attack,” he said.

Explaining the omission of Soumya Sarkar and Khaled Ahmed, Bashar said the selectors wanted players outside the playing XI to remain match-fit through domestic first-class cricket rather than sit on the sidelines.

“We wanted him to play a first-class match rather than sit on the bench with the squad,” Bashar said about Soumya’s omission.

He also backed young wicketkeeper-batter Amite Hasan, saying the selectors intended to introduce him gradually to international cricket. “We want to give him opportunities gradually rather than suddenly exposing him to difficult, high-pressure situations,” he said.

While Bashar praised Bangladesh’s settled Test batting line-up, he acknowledged concerns over the team’s recent ODI performances, particularly their inability to post big totals and chase targets above 250 consistently.

“Our main objective is to identify whether this problem stems from mental pressure, technical issues or a lack of skills,” he said, stressing the need to improve the team’s chasing ability ahead of the next World Cup.

Bashar also said the selectors were monitoring emerging domestic players to build a stronger talent pool over the next two to three years.

Meanwhile, spinner Aliss Al Islam must complete the required reassessment and rehabilitation process after his bowling action was reported again, Bashar added.