Former Test cricketer Sayed Kirmani was on Sunday elected chairman of the national selection committee at the annual general meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in Kolkata.

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Kirmani replaces Brajesh Patel, who is undergoing treatment following a heart surgery.

The other four members of the committee, who have been retained in their posts, are Kirti Azad (north), Pranab Roy (east), Kiran More (west) and Sanjay Jagdale (centre). Board secretary S K Nair will be the convener of the committee, they said.

According to BCCI sources, names of Kirmani and Azad figured during discussions about the chairmanship but the former had an edge over the latter due to his greater exposure in international cricket.

Kirmani has to his credit 88 Tests and 49 one-day internationals (ODIs) as against Azad's seven Tests and 25 ODIs played. Both were part of India's world cup winning squad in 1983.

"I have always tried to give my best in assignments given to me in the past. I will try to do my best this time too," Kirmani told PTI in Bangalore. He hoped his thoughts and ideas on the selection process would be harmonious with those of the other four members of the committee.

His election was not a surprise for Kirmani as Patel had dropped hints to that effect. He said Patel is keen to contest for the post of joint secretary of the BCCI.

Kirmani said he is now looking forward to interacting with his colleagues of the committee, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and other BCCI members.