Faruq Ahmed has decided not to resign from his position as BCB president. Last night, the youth and sports advisor informed him that the government no longer wants him to remain in the role. Faruq took a couple of days to consider this news.
When asked about the matter today, the former national team captain and ex-chief selector told Prothom Alo, “I have decided not to resign. They told me the government supposedly doesn’t want me as BCB president anymore. But they haven’t given me any reason why. I can’t just resign without cause.”
Cricket insiders believe Faruq’s decision signals a strong stand against government interference in BCB affairs. A former national captain, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “You can’t mess around with Bangladesh cricket like this. One day you appoint someone president, the next day you remove him without reason. Such actions will raise questions about Bangladesh cricket on the international stage.”
Sources reveal that many current and former players have advised Faruq not to resign in this situation. One player commented, “He didn’t come to the board on his own will. The government brought him in. What has he done that the government no longer wants him?”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) strictly prohibits government interference in cricket boards. Previously, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka faced international bans due to such interference.
After the Awami League government took power, former BCB directors Jalal Yunus and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam were replaced by Faruq Ahmed and Nazmul Abedin as government nominees through the National Sports Council (NSC). After the resignation of former BCB president Nazmul Hasan, the board elected Faruq Ahmed as president.
It remains unclear why the government wants to remove Faruq just eight to nine months after appointing him president as a nominated director. However, sources say former national captain Aminul Islam is already being considered as the new BCB president.
Aminul told Prothom Alo today that no direct proposal for the presidency has been made to him yet. However, he has been informed that the government wants him in a responsible role at BCB. Accordingly, he has reportedly received permission from his current employer, the ICC, to join BCB. Trusted sources say the NSC has already issued a letter to appoint Aminul as a councillor, replacing an old nominee.
Meanwhile, the BCB board meeting scheduled for May 31 may be postponed due to the ongoing situation, according to a board insider.
