The BCB has warned the Bangladesh government against interfering in board matters, after the formation of an investigation committee by the sports ministry to look into allegations of malpractice during last year’s BCB elections. The ICC has previously suspended cricket boards including those of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka for government interference.
The BCB said in a statement on Monday that it is willing to speak to the sports ministry regarding the “context, intent, and possible implications of the gazette”.
The sports ministry formed a five-member body, and gave it 15 working days, from March 11, to look into allegations of “irregularities, manipulation and abuse of power” during the elections in which Aminul Islam was reelected BCB president.
“In this context, the matter has been informally referenced in discussions with senior representatives of the ICC leadership,” the BCB statement said. “It was indicated that developments which could be interpreted as interference in the affairs of a democratically elected cricket board may raise governance concerns within the international cricket framework.
“Given the potential implications for Bangladesh cricket at the international level, the BCB considers it important to address this matter with due care and transparency. Before initiating any formal communication or proceedings with the ICC, the BCB believes it is appropriate to engage directly with the National Sports Council to seek clarification regarding the context, intent, and possible implications of the gazette.”
The BCB asked the sports ministry to shut down the investigation committee altogether, a move the board believes will protect Bangladesh cricket.
“Accordingly, the BCB has requested the National Sports Council to close this matter in a manner that safeguards the stability, independence, and continued progress of Bangladesh cricket, while also ensuring that the country’s standing within the international cricket community remains fully protected,” the BCB statement said.
Question marks over the BCB elections arose when Tamim Iqbal, the former Bangladesh captain, accused Aminul of interference after the BCB president, in a signed letter, asked the sports ministry, in the weeks before the elections, to change councillors from certain districts. Tamim had also alleged the BCB of twice extending the dates for filing nominations.
Tamim withdrew his candidacy from the BCB elections on October 1, even as Aminul denied the allegations on October 5, the day before the polls.
There were allegations of election engineering, from Tamim and a large group of Dhaka club officials, when the elections were held. Within hours of the results being announced, the then sports ministry had to withdraw its nominee for BCB director, after his past political connections were revealed on social media.
Following the elections, a large section of the Dhaka clubs, who form Category 2 in the BCB elections, have termed the current BCB board of directors “illegal”. They have also boycotted the 2025-26 season’s Dhaka leagues.
