Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has said it will take time to determine whether the current Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) board is legitimate, after he and officials from several Dhaka clubs submitted a formal complaint to the National Sports Council (NSC) alleging irregularities in the recent board election.
Tamim, accompanied by representatives from 50 leading club teams in Dhaka, filed the complaint requesting an official investigation into the election process. The group clarified that the complaint does not directly declare the current board illegal, but instead calls for a proper inquiry into the allegations raised by the clubs.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the complaint, Tamim said the number of clubs supporting the move highlights the seriousness of the issue.
“Today we came to submit a formal complaint. The most surprising thing is that out of 76 clubs, 50 have raised concerns that the election process was not conducted properly. That alone says a lot,” he said.
He also noted that some of the country’s most prominent clubs, including Abahani Limited Dhaka and Mohammedan Sporting Club, share the same concerns about the election.
When asked whether he considers the current BCB board illegitimate, Tamim said the matter should be resolved through the proper channels.
“That will be decided with time. We have followed the correct procedure by submitting the complaint. These issues are secondary. The bigger problem is that the clubs are not united, which is why the leagues remain uncertain. Sometimes we forget that cricket itself is not being played. The board needs to answer why competitions are not taking place,” he said.
Tamim also expressed concern about the current structure of domestic cricket in Bangladesh. With only 12 teams competing, he noted that roughly 100 to 150 players are involved, leaving many others without opportunities.
He further pointed out that separate tournaments for the second and third divisions have not been organised, raising questions about the future of the domestic league structure if the situation continues.
According to Tamim, the clubs believe their demands are justified and are seeking a fair review of the election process.
“We need to set a new standard in Bangladesh sport,” he said. “We are trying to move forward in a proper way. There is no coercion involved. We believe our arguments and evidence are reasonable. Beyond that, time will provide the answers.”
