Aminul Islam, remembered fondly as Bangladesh’s first Test centurion and captain during the 1999 World Cup, has been appointed as the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). This follows a swift decision in a Dhaka board meeting, just a day after Faruque Ahmed was relieved of his duties by the sports ministry.
Faruque’s departure was precipitated by a no-confidence motion signed by eight BCB directors, in addition to a fact-finding report highlighting corruption issues in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The sports ministry took this decisive action after Faruque had been on the board as a representative since August 2024, following Nazmul Hassan’s resignation.
Aminul’s introduction to the board was similar to Faruque’s path. Initially appointed as one of the ministry’s representatives, he was quickly elected president by the fellow directors. ESPNcricinfo notes that Aminul is expected to hold this position until the next BCB election, likely in October.
Faruque’s leadership, lasting nine months and eight days, was riddled with controversy. A notable incident was his early replacement of head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, which diverged from BCB protocols requiring board consultation for such decisions. These decisions stirred unrest among the directors and contributed to the ministry’s drastic measures.
Faruque’s handling—or mishandling—of the BPL emerged as a particularly significant issue. The tournament was blemished by controversies involving the Durbar Rajshahi franchise, whose financial missteps led to unpaid players and a strike. The government, with Dr Muhammad Yunus at the helm, had to step in, casting a shadow over Faruque’s tenure. Sources suggest this intervention and Faruque’s other disputes within the board strained his relationship with key figures, including sports adviser Asif Mahmud.
This period was challenging for Bangladeshi cricket, with clubs in Dhaka growing restless over proposed constitutional amendments and questioning match integrity in the Dhaka Premier League. As Aminul assumes leadership, he faces these unresolved tensions. His previous experience as an ICC development manager may offer a fresh perspective as the BCB seeks stability.
While Aminul steps into a role fraught with challenges, cricket enthusiasts hope his tenure will bring much-needed harmony and a clearer direction for Bangladesh cricket.
