Who is operating BCB from behind

In the cricket field and outside the field, so many non-cricketing activities have been going on over the past few months that it is not only unacceptable but downright condemnable. This is a matter of concern for the future of the country’s cricket. Those who are playing games centring cricket, muddying the waters, those who are fuelling it, have assumed that now is the time to achieve their ulterior motives because such an opportunity may not come again in the future. A storm is engulfing the game of cricket. Some particular men are now more important in cricket than the game itself. Arbitrary practices are increasing in cricket. Deception, disrespect, humiliation and shameful roles are on the rise. The actors are lengthening the cricket ‘documentary’ day by day. Those who are making tall talks about cricket recklessly for personal gain, immersing themselves in hostile opposition, are not doing the right thing. Now it is necessary for everyone to unite in the interest of the country’s cricket.

Jealousy, malice and self-contradiction must be pushed aside. If there is no patience, tolerance, etiquette and healthy outlook on life in the gentleman’s game, then cricket will no longer remain cricket. The game of belief and disbelief is going on without interruption. Cricket is going through a difficult time. Outside the field, the crowd of opportunists is growing. Lack of transparency and filthy attitude in cricket is nothing new—these existed before too, but inside a covered basket. The lid of the basket has now been lifted. Various types of true nature of many people have come out. Even after falling down from the top of the tree, they have somehow survived. Despite this, their greed and demand are endless.

The student–public uprising has shaken the country’s cricket administration badly. In the past, the conscious public has seen authoritarianism in cricket. They have seen the shameless form of flattery. These flatterers are now humiliating and opposing their leaders the most in recent times. The narrative of truth and falsehood is getting longer. As a result, a kind of distrust and lack of confidence has developed among the people surrounding cricket. Everyone wants to enjoy the taste of power. The media is bringing up different wishes of different individuals; but not everything is possible even if you want it. The number of players with ulterior motives is very high. It will be interesting to watch who can grab how much opportunity in the future.

Meanwhile, many rumours have sprouted wings around truth and falsehood. The media and social media are, in many cases, competing recklessly. Political parties have started a new game surrounding cricket. I often hear many say that Aminul Islam Bulbul is serving as the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) – but who is actually running the board from behind? Unpleasant as it may sound, the truth is that in the name of reform, a kind of uncomfortable situation has arisen in the sports arena. The sports arena cannot function without organisers. In the case of reforms, there is a wide gap between expectations and reality. The reform of the district, division and other sports arenas is connected with the election process of the national federations of all sports.

Some days ago, BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul has already told the media that the BCB election will be held in October this year. And he has instructed preparations to be made to hold the election in October. Former BCB Director Siraj Uddin Alamgir believes that if the election is held without amending the constitution of the cricket board, then especially from outside Dhaka, the opportunity for many to unjustly become councillors and then voters will once again be open. Previously, it was the rule to finalise councillors through discussion in the executive committee meetings of the district and divisional sports organisations. Also, it was mandatory for a councillor to be a member of the executive committee.

But later the rule was changed. Since then, councillor has been nominated with the sole signature of the president of the district and divisional sports reform. By virtue of their position, the presidents of these sports reform organisations are the district and divisional administrators. Their misuse of sole authority will still pave the way for many to unjustly enter the BCB. They are government employees. If someone from above tells them to send a name, they are obliged to do so. Taking advantage of this, in the past, many entered the BCB who were not proven sports organisers, for example—Sheikh Sohel was in no way associated with the Khulna District Sports Organisation. Even so, becoming a councillor did not stop them from becoming a BCB director. (Kaler Kantho, August 1, 2025).

For purely vested interests, division and a hostile attitude always prevail in the cricket board. One person cannot bear to see another do well. And so, the game of constantly hounding each other goes on all the time. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s team found nothing when they came to investigate allegations of embezzlement. This is a relief. There are those who are directors of the board but have no sense of responsibility towards cricket. The freedom of thought and conscience regarding cricket has become blunt for some. Hypocrisy and duplicity are major challenges for the country’s cricket. The way eight directors united to implement an agenda, raised various allegations against Board President Faruk Ahmed, expressed no confidence in him through a letter, and played a role in removing him from his position—there is no precedent for this in Bangladesh’s cricket in the past.

This example will always ‘haunt’ Bangladesh cricket. What is happening in cricket now should not be allowed to happen. The players are not able to perform as expected. Domestic and international cricket are questionable for various reasons. There is a lack of transparency and accountability in cricket. There is no clear ambition in the country’s cricket. Bangladesh’s global standing in cricket is steadily declining—and this is in all three formats. It is always being said that everything will be fixed—but that fixing never happens. Fingers are always being pointed at the team selectors, coaches, cricket operations and team management. Questions have been raised about their loyalty to cricket. People want to see cricket in good shape—not the game of syndicates. And that is why they want to see the capable in the cricket board.

Those who truly have the ability to work and make an impact. In Bangladesh cricket, incidents that draw far more attention outside the field than inside are always being created—this is not desirable. Discussions about forming a regional cricket organisation have been going on for 25 years. Still, that regional cricket organisation has not been able to start functioning. Cricket is centred on Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Rajshahi. In a country of 180 million people, there are not even 20 world-class players. There were no players in the pipeline before, and there still are not. Cricket has not been spread. It must go to the grassroots to survive in international cricket in the future. In the upcoming cricket board election, many have expressed their intention to be candidates.

Some have even expressed the desire to be presidential candidates. This is a process. In this process, one must come first. First, one must take councillorship. After becoming a councillor, one must come through election. Those who are elected will decide who will be president. Many have thought that in the upcoming cricket board election, Aminul Islam Bulbul will be a candidate again. Under the NSC (National Sports Council) quota, he will again become a councillor and director. Then he will be a presidential candidate. In a special interview with Kaler Kantho on 6 August, Aminul Islam Bulbul said, I have no ill intention of becoming president again. At the wish of the interim government, I am completing the remaining term of an elected committee. You could say I am giving service to the government. That’s all.

Ikramuzzaman: Columnist and analyst; former Senior Vice-President, AIPS Asia; lifetime member, Bangladesh Sports Press Association; and panel writer, Football Asia