Hasnat Abdullah said in parliament that the Bangladesh Cricket Board has turned into a “father’s blessing cricket board.” He raised concerns over political control in cricket.
He made the comment during a session of parliament. Lawmakers who agreed with him thumped their desks. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was seen smiling at that moment.
This came after a major change in the BCB. The National Sports Council (NSC) dissolved the elected board. It then formed an 11-member ad hoc committee. Tamim Iqbal is now the head of that committee.
Several members of the new body have political links. Mirza Yasir Abbas is the son of Mirza Abbas. Syed Ibrahim Ahmed is the son of Salahuddin Ahmed. Israfail Khasru is the son of Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Rashna Imam, wife of Bobby Hajjaj, is also in the committee. Five members are from Chattogram.
The current BCB constitution, updated in 2024, does not mention such a committee.
Hasnat said, “We can see how constitutional institutions are being openly politicised. The way Bangladesh Bank has been taken over, and the way the BCB has been taken over, it has turned into a ‘father’s blessing cricket board.’”
A counter came from the ruling party. Salahuddin Ahmed, the Home Minister of Bangladesh said, “The ad hoc committee has been formed by the world-famous cricketer Tamim Iqbal. There’s no father’s or mother’s blessing involved here.”
Political influence in Bangladesh cricket is not new. But this move has raised fresh concerns. Former BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul called the new body illegal. He also called it a sham entity. He said the government has put a knife to the throat of cricket’s autonomy. He urged the International Cricket Council to step in quickly and protect the image of Bangladesh cricket.
