BCB Restructures Board: 11 Directors Removed, 3 Resign Amid Political Shift
Many of the removed directors have ties to the Awami League, the party that has faced significant political turmoil following its ousting from power on August 5, 2024, due to a violent student uprising. Notably, Nazmul Hassan served as the sports minister, Shafiul Alam is an Awami League MP, and AJM Nasir Uddin was a former mayor during the Awami League's 15-year tenure.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has undergone significant changes, removing 11 directors from its board due to their failure to attend three or more consecutive meetings, as stipulated by the board's constitution. This decision includes prominent figures such as former president Nazmul Hassan and BPL chairman Sheikh Sohel.
List of Removed Directors
The directors who have been ousted are:
- Nazmul Hassan
- Sheikh Sohel
- Manzur Kader
- AJM Nasir Uddin
- Anwarul Islam
- Shafiul Alam Chowdhury
- Ismail Haider Mallick
- Tanvir Ahmed
- Obeid Nizam
- Gazi Golam Murtoza
- Nazib Ahmed
In addition to these removals, the BCB accepted the resignations of three other directors: Naimur Rahman, Khaled Mahmud, and Enayet Hossain Siraj.
Context of Removals
Many of the removed directors have ties to the Awami League, the party that has faced significant political turmoil following its ousting from power on August 5, 2024, due to a violent student uprising. Notably, Nazmul Hassan served as the sports minister, Shafiul Alam is an Awami League MP, and AJM Nasir Uddin was a former mayor during the Awami League's 15-year tenure. The connections of Sohel and Nazib to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with Mallick’s close association with Nazmul, further highlight the political implications of the board's shakeup.
Prior to these changes, the BCB had a total of 25 directors. With the departures of the 14 mentioned, the board now consists of just 10 directors, following the earlier passing of one member.
Amendments and New Leadership
In response to the restructuring, the BCB has established a constitution amendment committee led by director Nazmul Abedeen. This committee is tasked with evaluating the current constitution, identifying areas for improvement, and proposing amendments that align with the BCB's strategic goals.
Following the establishment of an interim government on August 8, 2024, the BCB directors elected Faruque Ahmed, a former captain of Bangladesh, as the new president. Additionally, Abedeen has assumed a director role. These changes come after Jalal Yunus resigned from his position and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam was removed as director.
The BCB's restructuring reflects a broader shift within the organization, as it navigates the political landscape and seeks to redefine its governance and operational strategies.
