Former captain Tamim Iqbal had been one of the most vocal critics of the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the interim government. On multiple occasions, he and former Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan exchanged sharp words over issues ranging from the BCB election to the club boycott. Even recently, Asif made remarks aimed at Tamim.
Now, however, Tamim is backing the newly elected BNP-led government. On Tuesday, 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers, including Tarique Rahman, took oath at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. Tamim was present at the ceremony and later urged everyone to give the new government time.
“This government needs time. Nothing happens overnight. Bringing the right people into the right positions is very important. Security will return to people’s lives in every aspect. For nearly one and a half years, we were hoping for a political government,” Tamim said.
The shift in tone is not difficult to understand. Although Aminul Haque failed to win the Dhaka 16 seat as a BNP candidate, he has been appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports under the technocrat quota. Tamim has long been seen as close to the BNP and has appeared alongside Aminul at various events and cricket tournaments.
Rumors had surfaced that Tamim himself could become State Minister under the technocrat quota. On February 15, he dismissed the speculation in a Facebook post, saying he had not received any such proposal and urging the media to avoid spreading baseless news.
Tamim’s softer stance toward the current government contrasts sharply with his strained relationship with former adviser Asif Mahmud. Ironically, when Asif first visited the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Tamim personally showed him around the facilities. Over time, however, their relationship deteriorated.
The BCB election remains the clearest flashpoint. Five days before the October 6 election, Tamim withdrew his nomination for a director’s post. He, along with 15 others, protested what they described as government interference and the suspension of 15 third division clubs’ councillorships through an opaque process.
“This is not really an election. It does not align with cricket in any way,” Tamim said at the time.
Earlier, Asif had alleged that people used Tamim’s name to seize club councillorships, even labeling the activities as terrorism. He claimed individuals were pressured and rival candidates were asked to withdraw in exchange for positions.
Eventually, most directors were elected unopposed. With 23 elected members and two nominated by the National Sports Council, Aminul Islam Bulbul formed the new board.
The day after the election, the current State Minister alleged direct interference by Asif in influencing the outcome. He claimed there was evidence that councillors had been threatened.Tamim has repeatedly called the current board illegal. In line with his position, 42 clubs including Abahani and Mohammedan boycotted BCB-organized domestic competitions. The First Division League was reduced to 12 teams instead of 20, while the Third Division remains suspended. Uncertainty also surrounds the upcoming Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.
Clubs are now preparing legal action against the BCB. They argue that the constitution was bypassed in securing councillor nominations. Although a court declared the process illegal, the election was completed after a High Court stay order. Organizers say they will revive the cases in an attempt to annul the current committee.
Aminul Haque, the new State Minister for youth and sports also questioned the current structure and past elections of the BCB, hinting at reforms on Tuesday.
“I have previously said that the cricket board elections were questionable. We will sit down and discuss this. We want to move in a positive direction and will address it promptly,” he said.
“I have previously said that the cricket board elections were questionable. We will sit down and discuss this. We want to move in a positive direction and will address it promptly.”
Tamim’s expectation from the current government for the sports fraternity is clear. He said, “Obviously, my expectation regarding sports is that people should be placed in the positions they are truly qualified for. Those who are good for football, and those who are good for any other sport, should be given the appropriate roles.”
“Bringing the right people into the right positions is very important. Because sports is a very important factor for Bangladesh”, Tamim concluded.
However, when a former BCB official was reached over the phone and asked whether Tamim was showing favouritism, he said, “It is difficult for me to comment from my position. He is a former captain and a respected figure. However, this stance of his is not new, he has held similar views before over the past one and half year.”
Requesting anonymity, he added, “I cannot say whether he is showing favouritism or not. But there is a strong possibility that we may see significant changes in the sports arena.”
However, Tamim was also known to have shared a close relationship with the ousted Awami League government. After the mass uprising on August 5, records from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence visitor log showed that Tamim had visited on August 3. When images of the entry book later circulated on social media, it appeared that he had stayed there for around four hours. The reason for his visit, however, remains unknown.
Ahead of the 2023 World Cup, Tamim Iqbal had suddenly announced his retirement while he was still serving as Bangladesh’s ODI captain. He later reversed that decision at the request of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Tamim subsequently posted a photo with her on Facebook, writing, “Can’t say no to her.”
On the other hand,on voting day of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Tamim Iqbal said it was his first time casting a ballot. Despite his perceived close ties with the previous Sheikh Hasina-led government, he had apparently never voted before.
On January 8, when discussions were intensifying over not sending Bangladesh’s World Cup team to India due to security concerns, Tamim commented at an event, “Fans can say many things out of emotion. But if we think in that way about everything, you cannot run such a big organization. Because today’s decision can have an impact 10 years from now on Bangladesh cricket and the players. Decisions should be made after considering what is best in the long term.”
Following that remark, BCB director and finance committee chairman M Najmul Islam stirred controversy by posting on Facebook and directly calling Tamim an agent of India.
Over the years, Tamim Iqbal has maintained working relationships with successive governments. From his visible proximity to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, to his interactions with interim government sports adviser Asif Mahmud, and now his supportive stance toward the newly elected BNP government, Tamim has remained a prominent figure able to navigate different administrations.
