Hannan Sarkar resigns from selection panel to focus on coaching

After retiring as a player, Hannan Sarkar ventured into coaching before transitioning into selection, taking on the responsibility of nurturing young cricketers. 

The former Bangladesh opener served as an age-level selector for a long time before being promoted to the national selection panel last year. However, after completing a full year in the role, he felt the urge to return to his original passion—coaching—and decided to step down.

Hannan submitted his resignation letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on the night of 1 february, having already informed BCB president Faruk Ahmed of his decision in advance. The board accepted his resignation, as he had clearly outlined his future plans. 

The former cricketer, who played 17 Tests and 20 ODIs for Bangladesh, confirmed to *The Business Standard* that he is leaving the selection role to return to coaching.  

Speaking to TBS about his resignation and future plans, the former right-handed opener said, "I primarily want to return to coaching. A national selector cannot be involved in coaching—it's a conflict of interest. I had to choose between the two, and I felt that for a long-term career, coaching was the better option. Selection is not a long-term career path; it's not a permanent solution. That's why I prioritised coaching and decided to step down."  

Having spent many years in selection, Hannan admitted that he had developed a strong emotional attachment to the role. 

Even though he made the decision for the sake of his long-term career, it was not an easy choice. "I have been in selection for eight years and eight months—it's been a long journey. Naturally, when you work somewhere for so long, you grow emotionally attached. First, as an age-level selector, and then as a national selector. Letting go of that role was not easy," he said.  

"It was an emotional decision, but I had to put reality and my future first. I had to sacrifice that attachment for the sake of my career. Still, stepping away from something I was involved in for so long was difficult. However, one must be practical and think about the future. That's why I took this step. But, of course, there was an emotional side to it as well, because I have always tried to do my job with honesty and dedication. Leaving was not an easy decision," he added.  

Alongside his role as a national selector, Hannan has also worked as a commentator. He is currently providing commentary for a private television channel during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and has also been making videos on his official Facebook page. 

Addressing this, he said, "That's a personal thing—it has nothing to do with my job, and it's not my profession either. Sometimes, I feel like creating videos and sharing insights with people. But that's just a small part of my life, not my career or future."  

Hannan has already held discussions with a couple of clubs in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) and, if things go as planned, he will return to coaching in the upcoming season. 

He also hopes to coach in first-class cricket and the BPL, but his ultimate goal is to be part of Bangladesh's coaching setup. "The BCB is now considering local coaches for top-level positions. I also want to contribute at the highest level. I stepped down as a selector, and I am ready to work. If the BCB feels I can take on a coaching role, I am prepared," he said.  

Hannan completed a Level-2 coaching course under the BCB and has prior experience in coaching. 

In 2014, he worked as the batting coach for Abahani in the Dhaka Premier League. That same year, he was the head coach of Dhaka Metro in the National Cricket League (NCL) and served as an assistant coach for Islami Bank East Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL). Additionally, he was an assistant coach for Rajshahi Kings in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the BPL.