Withdrawn candidates call for postponement of BCB elections

The cricket fraternity was abuzz on Wednesday with heavyweight candidates withdrawing their nominations from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) polls. But on Thursday (October 2), a public holiday, the scene outside Sher-e-Bangla Stadium was quiet except for police presence.

Among the withdrawn candidates, only Rafiqul Islam and Mirza Abbas Yasir were present.

They attempted to meet BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury but could not reach him. Later, speaking to reporters, they urged that the elections be postponed and conveyed their message to sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.

Rafiqul Islam of Indira Road Krira Chakra said, “If the voting date is rescheduled, those who have been excluded or lost their councillorship will have a chance to rejoin the race.”

He added that the board could be run temporarily through an ad-hoc committee if necessary. In his view, “for the sake of cricket, resolving this crisis is urgent.”

On Wednesday, 16 candidates withdrew from the election, including Tamim Iqbal. Although the commission allowed until Thursday noon to reverse the decision, none did. Instead, they called for the polls to be suspended and rescheduled.