Since its formation in October 2025 following an election that faced significant backlash, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, is now under pressure amid allegations of irregularities. Complaints regarding the disputed election were submitted to the National Sports Council (NSC) by Tamim Iqbal, along with around 50 club representatives.
In response, the NSC formed a five-member independent inquiry committee. Several elected directors, along with candidates who contested the election, have already appeared before the panel for questioning.
However, the situation inside the BCB appears increasingly unstable. Yasir Mohammed Faysal Ashiq resigned from his position as a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Thursday. He had been serving as chairman of the Logistics and Protocol Standing Committee.
Earlier, Amzad Hossain stepped down from his role as director, citing personal reasons, after being removed as chairman of the Media Committee. Before that, Ishtiaque Sadeq, who served as chairman of the Game Development Committee, also resigned for personal reasons.
A source close to the board has claimed that there are effectively two separate blocs within the BCB. According to the source, only four or five directors are aligned with President Bulbul, while several others are not working in coordination with him.
The crisis has deepened as Bangladesh’s domestic cricket structure was expected to be in full swing with the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Instead, Dhaka’s club cricket has come to a standstill amid a dispute between club officials and the BCB over alleged irregularities in the recent board election.
A total of 42 clubs, including traditional powerhouses Abahani and Mohammedan, have boycotted all tournaments under the BCB and the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM).
With the season approaching its final phase, the Third Division Cricket League has yet to begin. The Second Division League was recently held, but several prominent clubs opted out. The future of the Dhaka Premier League remains uncertain, and given the ongoing standoff between the board and the clubs, it is increasingly unlikely that the competition will begin any time soon.
The CCDM, which is responsible for organizing Dhaka’s club competitions, has also come under scrutiny. Critics have described it as largely inactive at a time when it was expected to play a central role. With Dhaka’s club cricket at a standstill, around 800 cricketers are currently without competitive action, as many rely entirely on domestic leagues for their livelihood.
The CCDM chairman, Adnan Rahman, had been out of the country since November but is understood to have returned on Thursday. During his absence, vice chairman Faiazur Rahman had been overseeing operations.
However, there is reportedly no clear coordination between the CCDM and the BCB, and no one appears certain about how the leagues will proceed. Following a letter from the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (KOWAB), some movement has been observed, but no formal discussions have taken place.
The BCB is scheduled to hold a board meeting on Saturday. Times of Bangladesh has learned that the issue of club cricket is expected to be included in the agenda.
The impasse has caused frustration among cricketers. Former Bangladesh international Rony Talukdar expressed his disappointment on Facebook, writing, “This is the time when we should have been playing the Dhaka Premier League.” He later posted a video captioned, “No cricket, so playing football.”
Former captain and coach Rajin Saleh also shared his frustration on Facebook, writing in Bangla: “Players and coaches should not end up getting crushed in the middle of a power struggle.”
Not only players, but also several BCB directors and officials have expressed dissatisfaction over the situation. The Dhaka Premier League, which was scheduled to begin in February, remains uncertain, while only five clubs have reportedly shown interest in participating in the Third Division League. Many believe the ongoing crisis stems from the disputed BCB election.
Criticism has also been directed at BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul from within the board. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one director told Times of Bangladesh, “The board’s responsibility is to manage cricket, run leagues, and keep players active. But under this board, no cricket is being played. Clubs are not participating. Why did CWAB have to send a letter? The board president should have resolved this earlier.”
Cricketers have also openly questioned the situation. Senior player Imrul Kayes voiced his frustration on social media, saying: “It is no longer possible to remain silent after seeing the current situation in Bangladesh cricket. What is happening is extremely disappointing for every cricket fan. Are our guardians of cricket so blinded by power struggles and positions? Because of your disputes, league cricket has been halted for days. Have you thought about the domestic players who depend entirely on these leagues for their livelihood? For many, it has become difficult to run their households, yet no one seems to care.”
He further added: “Everyone is always concerned about the national team, but cricket is not just the national team. It is time to think about the overall cricket structure alongside the national side.”
When asked about cricketers’ frustration over the stalled DPL, BCB vice president Faruque Ahmed told reporters last Monday, “Why some clubs choose not to participate remains uncertain, though internal politics may play a role. If this trend continues, it could hinder the growth of cricket in the country. Ultimately, participation is the responsibility of the clubs, and their engagement benefits the entire system.”
Meanwhile, there is also speculation that the current BCB board could face dissolution. If the NSC’s independent inquiry committee finds irregularities in the last election, the board may be dissolved under existing regulations. In that case, an ad-hoc committee would be formed to oversee operations and conduct fresh elections.
