Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing pressure from many sides. The current board is under investigation by the National Sports Council over claims of issues in the election process.
The board has also seen key resignations. Former game development chairman Ishtiaque Sadeque left his role after Bangladesh did not take part in the T20 World Cup. Later, media committee chairman Amzad Hossain also stepped down. These exits raised questions about stability.
There is also doubt around the Dhaka Premier League. The board failed to reach a deal with Dhaka clubs. This has put the country’s main List A competition in trouble.
On Tuesday, after the Independence Day exhibition match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, vice-president Faruque Ahmed spoke about the situation. He said the resignations are personal matters.
“I think this is a personal matter for each individual. You and I have both seen the two resignation letters, and they cited purely personal reasons. If someone considers it personal, then even I might have a personal reason to step down tomorrow,” Faruque said.
He added that the board will keep running as usual.
“So I don’t think this reflects too heavily on the board. As you know, we have 25 directors. It would have been better if everyone stayed, but even if they don’t, I don’t think the board will stop functioning. The board will continue to run as it should.”
Faruque also spoke about the absence of BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul, who is now in Australia with his family.
“Everyone knows why the president is out of the country — he’s spending time with his family. It would have been better if he was here, but he has said he will return by the end of this month,” he said.
Questions were also raised about domestic cricket. The Dhaka League remains uncertain.
Faruque said cricket work is still going on.
“As for the board — whether someone is here or not — those of us who are here have only one agenda: to move Bangladesh cricket forward, to move the country forward. If you look at it, none of the routine work has stopped. The BCL is ongoing, the NCL is ongoing.”
Still, he admitted the domestic season did not go as planned.
“The domestic league didn’t happen the way we wanted — like the Premier League or First Division — because the clubs were not willing to participate. I’ve said it before, I don’t know what benefit that brings. It was important to have cricket on the field, but it didn’t happen — which is unfortunate.”
Faruque pointed to recent results as a positive sign.
“Recently, we had a home series against Pakistan and won 2-1, which is a big boost for Bangladesh. Five or six players have gone to play in the PSL — that’s also significant. It shows we are playing good cricket and our players are earning opportunities in overseas franchise leagues. New Zealand are coming next month — from the 17th — and we will play three ODIs and three T20Is. So overall, cricket is running.”
He ended by saying the focus should stay on cricket.
“As for the other issues, these things will always be there. I don’t think there’s much to comment on them. Who is in the board and who is not — I don’t see that as a big issue. What matters is whether cricket is on the right track. Whoever comes in should not have personal agendas, but focus only on Bangladesh cricket and the players — that, I believe, is what will be best.”
