<div><b><br></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Khaled Mahmud, vice-chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)'s Cricket Operations Department, expressed surprise on Tuesday at the appointment of Gazi Ashraf as the new chief selector of the national team.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“It was really surprising for me. I hadn't heard his name as a candidate. Many other names were doing the rounds, but I didn't hear his,” Mahmud told reporters in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahmud said he expected to be informed about the appointment of the chief selector as he is the vice-chairman of the Cricket Operations Department.</div><div><br></div><div>“Though I’m the vice-chairman of the cricket operation, I didn't know that we were appointing a new selector. It’s a surprising move. I even don’t know why I should be at this position,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahmud, however, said he has no doubt about Ashraf's cricketing knowledge and ability.</div><div><br></div><div>“I have no doubt about Lipu bhai's (Ashraf) cricketing knowledge,” he said. “He is a very senior cricketer and has been involved with cricket for a long time. He has captained the national team. So, there is no question about his cricketing knowledge," he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahmud also said he is hopeful that Ashraf will be able to do a good job as the chief selector.</div><div><br></div><div>“He has a good cricketing brain and is a very intelligent person. I am sure he will be able to work well with the other selectors and the coaching staff,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ashraf, a former Bangladesh captain, was appointed as the chief selector on Monday. He replaced Minhajul Abedin, who had been in the role since 2016.</div><div><br></div><div>Mahmud also expressed his satisfaction with the inclusion of Hannan Sarkar in the selection panel.</div><div><br></div><div>“I am very happy that Hannan has been included in the selection panel. He is very experienced and has a good understanding of the game. He will be a valuable asset to the selection panel,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ashraf will take over the role of the chief selector soon for a two-year tenure. In panel, the other two members are Hannan Sarkar and Abdur Razzak. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>