In a dramatic turn of events, the National Sports Council (NSC) of Bangladesh issued a late-night directive removing Faruque Ahmed from his position as a nominated director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The move came following a day of mounting tension, triggered by an internal power struggle and controversy surrounding the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The official notice, signed by the NSC secretary, cited an eight-member no-confidence motion from BCB directors and a fact-finding report on BPL irregularities as grounds for revoking Faruque’s nomination. According to the NSC, the decision was made to ensure the smooth operation of BCB’s activities.
Reacting to the sudden decision, Faruque said, “I’ve seen the notice, but I won’t comment immediately. I’ll consult with my lawyer and take necessary legal steps.” He also hinted at reaching out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for intervention.
On Wednesday night, Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan met with Faruque and informed him that the government no longer wished to retain him as BCB president, although no formal request for resignation was made. Later that day, Faruque publicly stated that he would not resign voluntarily.
Amidst the turmoil, discussions began to center on former national captain and Bangladesh’s first Test centurion, Aminul Islam Bulbul, as a potential replacement. Bulbul, currently working as an ICC Development Officer, confirmed that he had given his consent to the proposal and received ICC clearance, though no formal follow-up has occurred yet.
In addition to Faruque’s removal, sources indicate that BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury Sujon may also be replaced, with senior media manager Rabeed Imam emerging as the frontrunner for the role.
Insiders suggest that the sudden upheaval is driven by a mix of factors, including the upcoming BCB elections, financial irregularities in previous BPL seasons, and recent findings from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) implicating several influential board members.
The rapid developments have raised concerns over potential legal complications and uncertainty about how the ICC might respond to the internal crisis within Bangladesh cricket’s highest governing body.
