Kolkata, Aug 15 (IANS): Former Bengal seamer Shib Sankar Paul was on Wednesday appointed the head coach of the state's senior women's team, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) said in a statement.

Paul, who was previously coaching the Mizoram U-23 men's team, said: "It's homecoming for me. I feel honoured to take up this new role. When CAB President Sourav Ganguly and Joint Secretary Avishek Dalmiya asked me, I didn't think twice to grab this new challenge."

Dalmiya congratulated Paul on his appointment and said the management's aim is to improve women's cricket.

"We want wholesome growth of cricket in Bengal. Like the men's team, we are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the women's team also gets the best facilities. Paul's appointment, we feel, is a move in that direction. He brings a treasure of knowledge of playing at the highest level and will help the women's team that is playing so well to continue their form," Dalmiya said.

The former Bengal pacer will also look over the junior women's team pacers.

"There are many talented players in the team and having the likes of Jhulan Goswami only makes THE work easier. I will put my best and with the help of all the staff, I hope to deliver the goods.

"We will work hard in every department. Bengal women's team have performed really well in recent times and I wish to take that form forward," Paul said.

Making his debut in the 2000-01 season, Paul played 61 first class matches for Bengal before hanging his boot in 2014, scalping 220 wickets at 24.95. He had earned a call-up into India's Test squad for the fourth Test against Australia in Mumbai in 2004-05, but didn't feature in the playing XI.