There is a stir in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The government has asked the board’s president Farooq Ahmed to step down. It is reported that the national officials do not want to see him in this chair anymore.
Farooq took over this responsibility after the resignation of Nazmul Hasan on 21 August last year. But now his chair seems to be in danger.
On Wednesday, Youth and Sports Affairs Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan called Farooq and clearly told him that the government does not want to work with him.
Farooq confirmed this while talking to the media on Thursday.
He said, “The advisor told me that he does not want to work with me further. I have not yet decided to resign. Let’s see what happens.”
Is Bangladesh cricket in danger?
This statement of Farooq can create problems for BCB. If he does not resign and the government forcibly removes him, it will be considered government interference. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is strict in such matters.
Earlier, the cricket boards of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have been suspended due to government interference. If this happens with Bangladesh, cricket can suffer a major setback.
Meanwhile, former Bangladesh captain and current ICC development officer Aminul Islam is considered the strongest contender to replace Farooq.
It is reported that Aminul has spoken to government officials in Dhaka about the role of BCB president. He is seeking a three-month notice period from the ICC so that he can take up the new responsibility before the BCB elections in October.
Farooq’s cricket connection
Farooq has a long association with cricket. He has played seven ODIs for Bangladesh and was the chief selector of BCB twice in 2003-07 and 2013-16. But he resigned in 2016 in protest against the expansion of the selection committee.
His appointment came after the reorganisation of the board by the National Sports Council (NSC) last year.
This whole matter has thrown Bangladesh cricket into a vortex of uncertainty. Nazmul Hasan, who was the president of the BCB for 12 years, took refuge in London after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
After his departure, there were many changes in the board, including the departure of directors like Jalal Yunus and Ahmed Sajjadul.
Now all eyes are on whether Farooq will resign or the government will take some strict action. If the ICC intervenes, Bangladesh cricket may suffer a big loss.
Aminul Islam’s name may be in the news, but the next few days will prove to be decisive in this matter.
