A new chemosensor, designated as Dibcid has been synthesized in two steps from readily accessible 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazole)pyridine. Our photophysical studies revealed that of the several metal ions examined, biologically and environmentally significant Zn2+ exhibited highly selective emission wavelength shifts under the buffer condition. In contrast to Zn2+, the coordinatively competing and toxic Cd2+ elicited less remarkable optical responses as evidenced by its two order of magnitude lower stability constant compared to that of Zn2+. Moreover, metal ions, viz. Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+ exhibited insignificant optical perturbations even in concentrations far exceeding Zn2+. Clearly, the probe has the attributes to selectively target Zn2+ by ratiometric analysis under buffer conditions.