The National Sports Council of Bangladesh has announced the dissolution of the country's cricket board, citing "gross irregularities" in an election held last year. Officials stated that an independent committee found significant violations during the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election in 2025. Aminul Ehsan, director of sports at the government body, told reporters that "a significant number of irregularities took place" during the BCB poll.
The election was held in October, which was won by former national captain Aminul Islam Bulbul. Bulbul had taken over as temporary BCB president in March 2025 and was then elected unopposed for a four-year term in October. However, the current decision has led to his removal from the position.
The government has appointed an 11-member ad hoc committee led by former captain Tamim Iqbal. At 39, Tamim becomes the youngest head of Bangladesh cricket. He scored over 15,000 runs for Bangladesh in a 15-year career and remains the only Bangladeshi to score centuries in all formats of international cricket. A sports council official said the new committee is required to hold elections within three months.
This decision comes ahead of a "goodwill visit" to India by Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to rebuild frosty relations. Cricket, a sport beloved by both nations, added to the neighbors' bitter divisions after Bangladesh refused to participate in the World Cup in India in February, citing security concerns.
Dhaka made that decision following online outrage from right-wing Indian Hindus, which led to Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman being told to leave his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders. They had invoked alleged attacks on a Hindu community in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Dhaka said the scale of the violence was exaggerated. Bulbul was at the forefront of Bangladesh's decision not to play, stating at the time that "the dignity and security" of the country's cricketers was the board's priority.
Bangladesh will host New Zealand in a tour featuring three one-day internationals, three T20s, and two Tests starting on April 17. These events highlight the ongoing intertwining of cricket and politics in the country.
Source: www.aljazeera.com