The Bangladesh Cricket Board is witnessing a series of resignations from its directors. Out of 25 directors, seven have stepped down so far, citing personal reasons.
On January 24, Game Development Committee chairman Ishtiaque Sadeque resigned. On March 23, following his removal from the position of Media Committee chairman, director Amzad Hussain also stepped down from his board role.
On Thursday, Logistics and Protocol Committee chairman Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashik, an NSC-nominated director, left the board. Amid this ongoing situation, a board meeting was held on Saturday. Director and chairman of the BCB Disciplinary Committee, Faiyazur Rahman, submitted his resignation letter immediately after the session ended.
Following that, Shanian Taneem, chairman of the Facilities Management Committee, also sent in his resignation letter to the BCB, according to sources. Security Committee chief Mehrab Alam and Medical Committee head Manzur Alam are also said to have resigned.
Although all have cited personal reasons for stepping down, a closer look at the developments suggests a more complex picture. President Aminul Islam Bulbul and a significant number of directors have reportedly not been on the same page since the beginning. While Bulbul has the support of several directors, internal disagreements and growing dissatisfaction have increased over time.
Ishtiaque Sadeque had disagreements with M Najmul Islam, who had made controversial remarks about cricketers that reportedly contributed to a boycott of the last Bangladesh Premier League. Najmul was later removed from his position as chairman of the Finance Committee following those comments, but was reinstated by President Bulbul.
However, another comment made by Najmul regarding the price of cricketers’ shoes is believed to have triggered Ishtiaque’s resignation. Meanwhile, Amzad Hussain, who was reportedly attempting to improve relations between the media and the BCB, was removed from his position as Media Committee chairman. Sources suggest he was sidelined while trying to operate independently. Several other directors are also understood to have expressed dissatisfaction over different issues within the board.
A recently resigned director, speaking to Times of Bangladesh on condition of anonymity, criticized the board president and made sarcastic comments about Bulbul’s leadership, saying, “Bulbul’s three successes are failing to complete the league, deteriorating relations with the media, and breaking ties with clubs.”
Despite the series of resignations, the matter did not come up for discussion during Saturday’s board meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, newly appointed Media Committee chairman Mokhsedul Kamal Babu said, “There was no fresh discussion on this. Those who have resigned did so for personal reasons. The one who resigned today was also present with us in the board meeting. We actually learned about the resignations through the news. Those who have resigned have played a significant role for this board and for cricket.”
