Bangladesh cricket has achieved a historic milestone with the appointment of former national captain Salma Khatun as the country’s first-ever woman selector. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the move during the late hours of 20th September 2025 (Saturday), announcing that Salma will join Sazzad Ahmed on the senior women’s selection panel.
Historic news for Bangladesh cricket has just come ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, which begins on September 30 in India and Sri Lanka. Check out the complete squad here.
Salma Khatun’s Trailblazing Journey
Salma Khatun’s elevation to the role marks another chapter in a career defined by firsts. She was Bangladesh’s very first captain in women’s international cricket and remains one of the most decorated figures in the nation’s history. Having led Bangladesh in 65 T20Is and 18 ODIs, Salma retired from international cricket as the side’s most experienced cricketer in the shortest format.
By the time she played her last T20I on July 9, 2023, against India in Mirpur, she had featured in 95 matches, a record for Bangladesh women’s players, alongside 46 ODI appearances.
Adding to her legacy, Salma rose to the top of the global rankings during her playing days. Between 2014 and 2015, she was the ICC’s No. 1 ranked bowler in women’s T20Is, courtesy of her consistent offspin. She finished her international career with 84 T20I wickets at an impressive average of 18.57, with a standout performance of 4 for 6 against Sri Lanka that remains etched in Bangladesh’s cricketing archives.
A Revolutionary Appointment for Salma Khatun
The BCB hailed Salma’s selection committee appointment as a watershed moment for women’s cricket in the country. “I think this is a revolutionary decision by our president, Aminul Islam, as having someone like Salma involved will provide great support for women’s cricket,” said Iftekhar Rahman, the board’s media committee chairman. “This is the first time such an appointment has been made in Bangladesh.”
In joining the panel, Salma’s extensive experience as a player and captain is expected to offer valuable insight at a critical juncture, with Bangladesh preparing for only their second appearance in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
Bangladesh at Women’s World Cup 2025
The timing of Salma’s appointment is significant, with Nigar Sultana Joty’s side entering the final phase of preparation for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The 13th edition of the tournament will run from September 30 to November 2, with eight teams, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, in contention.
Bangladesh made their tournament debut in the 2022 edition in New Zealand and will now look to build on that experience. Their campaign begins on October 2 against Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana, at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, with play starting at 3 PM IST. This clash is set to be the third fixture of the tournament and is expected to test Bangladesh early in their quest for a breakthrough performance on the global stage.
For women’s cricket in Bangladesh, however, Salma Khatun’s new role as selector is particularly symbolic, not just a personal leap for one of Bangladesh’s most iconic players, but also a recognition of the growing value and visibility of the women’s game in the country. Her journey from Bangladesh’s first international captain to its first female selector offers both continuity and inspiration, as the national team sets its sights on making history at the World Cup stage once more.
(Quotes sourced from ESPN Cricinfo)
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