Since taking over as a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Asif Akbar has grabbed headlines on several occasions. From criticising footballers over a ground dispute to referring to newly appointed Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque as “Fatakeshto,” a cinematic character from the Indian film industry, controversy has followed him repeatedly.
On Friday, Asif described the State Minister as “Fatakeshto” over his immediate intervention in lifting the BCB’s official restriction on journalists entering the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Last Tuesday, shortly after taking oath, Aminul held a press conference at his residence where he instructed the BCB CEO to withdraw the media entry restriction.
Reacting to the development, Asif said, “Media personnel under the Ministry of Information would naturally continue coming to the BCB or Mirpur Stadium. We review portfolios to see who spreads rumours and who does not, and the plan was to sit with them. But before that, the incident involving Faruque Ahmed’s raised finger photo happened. The State Minister quickly issued an abrupt order like Fatakeshto, and the whole situation became messy.”
However, Times of Bangladesh has learned that Asif was informally warned during Sunday’s virtual board meeting. A source close to the development said BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul cautioned both Asif Akbar and M Najmul Islam over their recent public remarks, advising them to be more careful in future.
Former BCB director Fahim Sinha also criticised Asif’s comments. Speaking to reporters on Saturday after a journalists’ association programme, Fahim said directors must maintain minimum decorum.
“I cannot say whether it was intentional, but someone in such a responsible position should speak carefully,” he said. “The BCB has a minimum standard to maintain, and once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. Such remarks about the State Minister for Sports are unexpected. I urge BCB directors to refrain from making such comments”, Fahim added.
Several BCB officials are reportedly frustrated with the board’s recent media handling. One director, speaking to Times of Bangladesh on condition of anonymity, said, “I have been concerned and somewhat frustrated with his media deliveries for quite some time. I have also expressed this opinion internally over the past months.”
He added that from a position like a BCB director, one must remain measured and precise. “Our public communication must remain measured, professional and aligned with the long-term interests of the Board and cricket,” he said.
Amzad Hussain the chairman of the Media and Communication Committee claimed that Asif Akbar’s remarks were a personal opinion. He told reporters, “Even if he has said something like that, you will have to speak to him about it. That was his opinion, not the Board’s. It was his personal view.”
M Najmul Islam, the reinstated chairman of the BCB Finance Committee, has also previously drawn criticism. In January, his remarks about national cricketers sparked unrest in domestic cricket.
On January 14, when asked about Bangladesh’s potential withdrawal from the T20 World Cup, Najmul said, “If they go there and still can’t do anything, playing badly, then all the crores of taka we are spending on them, are we asking for that money back from them or not?” Bangladesh eventually pulled out of the tournament.
Following his comments, the Bangladesh Premier League was halted for a day as the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) called for a boycott. Cricket later resumed, and despite being removed from his post at the time, Najmul was eventually reinstated as Finance Committee chairman.
Over time, he has made several controversial remarks, including referring to Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian agent,” raising concerns about umpire payment increments and even commenting on the cost of coconuts provided to cricketers.
However, Asif’s controversies did not end there. In the same Friday interview, he claimed that the BCB was investigating cricketers over the BPL boycott led by the cricketers’ association.
Although Asif holds no official role in the BPL’s governing structure, and his remarks surprised BPL Governing Council chairman Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, who said he was unaware of any such investigation.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that State Minister Aminul has cancelled a scheduled meeting with current BCB board members that was set to take place on Sunday. Several reports claim Asif’s controversial remarks were a key reason behind the cancellation.
