Khairul Alam; DHAKA – The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing a leadership crisis as seven out of twenty-five directors have resigned in less than six months since the current board took office. Despite the growing uncertainty, BCB President Aminul Islam has expressed his determination to stay until the very end to manage the situation.
The Wave of Resignations
The stability of the board was thrown into question on Saturday following a board meeting, after which four directors—Faiyazur Rahman, Shaniyan Tanim, Mehrab Alam, and Manjur Alam—announced their departures. They join Ishtiaque Sadeq, Amjad Hossain, and Yasir Mohammad Faisal, who had resigned previously.
When asked about the possibility of the board becoming “all-out” due to the exodus, President Aminul Islam responded with a defiant smile, stating, “I will sit here with one chair if I have to. I will be the last person to go.”
Allegations of “External Forces”
The President claimed that the board has not been allowed to function peacefully since taking charge last October. He alleged that an “external force” has been constantly interfering with their operations.
“We have been running the board for about six months, but we haven’t had a single day of peace,” Aminul said. He noted that the current administration is being unfairly held accountable for issues dating back eight years, including matters related to women’s cricket and previous board activities.
NSC Investigation and Future Outlook
The legitimacy of the election that brought this board to power is currently under scrutiny. On March 11, the National Sports Council (NSC) formed a five-member probe committee to investigate allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency. The committee is expected to submit its report within 15 working days.
Addressing potential negative outcomes from the government following the probe, Aminul remained composed. “I left everything to come here and help my country. If for some reason I am no longer in this role, no problem—I will find another path. But my goal remains to work for the nation.”