The Bangladesh Cricket Board will vote for a new president and directors on 6 October, the election commission confirmed on Sunday afternoon. Twenty-three of the 25 board seats are up for grabs; once those places are filled, the directors will choose the president for the next four-year term.
The timetable appeared settled until former national captain Tamim Iqbal, himself a candidate, accused incumbent president Aminul Islam of “interference” barely an hour before the schedule was released. Speaking in central Dhaka alongside several former directors, Tamim said the president had extended nomination deadlines “unilaterally” and outside the board’s usual procedures.
“The election commission is in charge since their appointment, which in this case was from September 6,” he told reporters. “The BCB president extended the deadline for nomination submission twice. The deadlines for submitting nominations were first set for September 17. He extended it to September 19, and then September 22. The second extension was signed off by the president himself, which is highly irregular. The BCB’s chief executive is supposed to send out these letters, but he didn’t issue the letter for the second extension. The president signed off the letter.”
Tamim also questioned the way councillors—who form the electorate—have been selected this time. According to him, an ad-hoc committee replaced the customary network of district sports organisers. “Typically, in districts and divisions, those involved in sports can nominate councillors through the district administration. This has been the practice for many years. But this time, an ad-hoc committee was formed and only its approval would be valid for nominations,” he said. “It isn’t mentioned in the BCB’s constitution. Moreover, we have seen people being removed from or added to the ad-hoc committee at will. If elections are conducted this way, it is no longer an election but a selection. Elections should be open and fair for everyone.”
The former opener urged officials to keep the original voter roll intact. “I hope that those declared as councillors on September 17 remain unchanged. There should be no modifications. Cricket must remain for everyone – not for a specific person or group. I hope the election is impartial and free from interference.”
Aminul Islam has not replied publicly, though a senior board officer, speaking on background, insisted the extensions were within his authority: “The president acted in line with clause 16 of the constitution, which allows administrative adjustments. Nothing untoward has happened.” The election commission, for its part, said it would “apply the rules as written”, refusing further comment.
Key dates now look like this:
• 22 September – draft voter list
• 25 September – final voter list
• 6 October – polling day
How the ballot works
The vote is split into three categories. Ten directors come from the country’s eight divisions and 64 districts; 12 are drawn from Dhaka-based clubs; the final elected seat goes to a mixed pool that includes former cricketers, past national captains, armed-forces representatives and National Sports Council nominees. The government appoints the remaining two directors.
Observers see the club bloc as crucial. “Historically, whoever controls the Dhaka clubs controls the board,” said sports analyst Rashed Khan. “That’s why any change to nomination dates, however small it seems, is politically loaded.”
What’s at stake
Bangladesh cricket has enjoyed steady growth on the field—recent ODI results and an expanding women’s programme—yet governance questions linger. A new board will oversee a packed calendar that includes the 2026 Champions Trophy at home and a looming decision on central-contract structures.
Tamim’s own move into administration adds intrigue. As a player he was often outspoken; now he is trying to channel that into policy. Friends say his decision to stand was taken only after “lengthy family discussions”. One former team-mate observed: “He could still have chased T20 leagues, but he wants to fix things from the inside.”
The coming fortnight should clarify whether procedural disputes derail that ambition or fade into background noise. For now, the fixtures list continues and domestic sides prepare for the next round of the National Cricket League—an everyday reminder that, despite the politics, the game goes on.
