New Leadership Amid Controversy and Change
Aminul Islam, Bangladesh’s first Test centurion and former captain, has been elected as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following a board meeting in Dhaka on Friday. His election follows the removal of Faruque Ahmed by the country’s sports ministry. Aminul, who led the Bangladesh team in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, assumes the position at a challenging time for the BCB.
Faruque’s Departure
Aminul’s rise to power came swiftly after Faruque Ahmed lost his position as the sports ministry’s representative on the board, effectively ending his tenure as BCB president. The decision was made after eight BCB directors submitted a no-confidence motion against Faruque. The motion cited issues with his handling of corruption allegations within the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The sports ministry released a statement, explaining that Faruque’s removal was influenced by a fact-finding committee’s report detailing corruption and mismanagement in the BPL. Faruque was originally appointed to the role in August 2024, after Nazmul Hassan’s resignation as both sports minister and the representative for the BCB board.
The Path to Leadership
Aminul’s ascent to the presidency came after he was also nominated by the sports ministry to join the BCB as a director. With support from the other nine directors, Aminul was elected president. He has since taken leave from his role as an ICC Development Manager, a position he held in Melbourne.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Aminul’s term will continue until the next BCB elections, which are expected to be held by October of this year.
Challenges for Aminul Islam
Aminul assumes leadership at a time of significant internal conflict within the BCB. Faruque’s short tenure was marred by multiple controversies. On his first day in charge, Faruque questioned the position of then-head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. He later removed Hathurusinghe, which created tension among board members. The BCB directors also pointed out that Faruque’s actions violated the board’s constitution, as the president is required to consult with directors before making decisions like firing or hiring coaches.
The BPL 2025 Scandal
One of the key issues leading to Faruque’s removal was his handling of the BPL 2025 tournament. The controversy surrounding the Durbar Rajshahi franchise led to a government intervention when the franchise owner failed to pay players and even neglected to cover hotel bills in Chattogram and Dhaka. This failure triggered a player revolt, further damaging Faruque’s position within the BCB.
In addition to the BPL scandal, Faruque was also involved in public conflicts with other BCB members. He clashed with Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, a board director, and his fallout with the sports adviser’s office added to the turmoil. Faruque’s disputes and handling of BPL issues ultimately led to his downfall.
Continued Controversies
The controversies have not ended with Faruque’s departure. There have been further criticisms surrounding the BCB’s amendments to its constitution. The Dhaka cricket clubs raised concerns about the board’s process, which led to questions over certain Dhaka Premier League (DPL) matches. The situation escalated when the BCB’s head of anti-corruption asked players involved in a controversial stumping incident to reenact it publicly at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. This investigation process was heavily criticized.
Faruque’s Future and the Election Cycle
Despite these controversies, Faruque announced that he would contest the upcoming BCB elections. His focus on the election campaign, according to some board members, led to his alienation from other directors. Faruque’s time as president lasted just nine months and eight days, marking a tumultuous period for the BCB.
Looking Ahead: Aminul Islam’s Role
Aminul Islam now faces the complex task of guiding the BCB through a period of reform and recovery. His leadership comes at a time when the BCB is dealing with internal conflicts, management issues, and scrutiny over past decisions. However, Aminul’s experience as a player and his knowledge of the game will be crucial as he works to stabilize the board and restore confidence in the cricketing community.
