There is no risk of ICC sanctions, says Sports Adviser
![Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud {M} with Former BCB president Faruque Ahmed {R} during a press briefing, Cricfrenzy [File photo]](https://cricfrenzy.com/public/storage/images/5-2025/cf_GbCpvN6x.jpg)
Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud {M} with Former BCB president Faruque Ahmed {R} during a press briefing, Cricfrenzy [File photo]
In a surprising turn of events, former Bangladesh cricket captain Aminul Islam Bulbul has been appointed as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), replacing Faruque Ahmed. Bulbul assumed office following his nomination as a board director by the National Sports Council (NSC) and was subsequently elected to the top post by the board members.
This leadership change, however, has sparked debates around possible government interference—something the International Cricket Council (ICC) strictly prohibits. Yet, Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Mahmud, has made it clear that there is no risk of ICC sanctions.
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Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony of the National Handball Championship on Saturday, Asif stated, “Faruque Ahmed has been removed due to his failure to restore discipline in the board and mismanagement of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The decision follows ICC guidelines and therefore poses no threat of sanctions.”
Earlier, on Thursday, eight out of ten BCB board members submitted a letter of no-confidence to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, accusing Faruque Ahmed of being autocratic and power-driven. Shortly afterward, the NSC revoked his director nomination.
According to NSC sources, financial irregularities in the BPL and a lack of transparency regarding players’ payments were among the key reasons behind Faruque’s removal. The decision was reportedly based on an internal investigation.
“This is not a punishment. We had high hopes for the new leadership, but in the nine months since taking charge, those expectations were not met. After this government took office, Bangladesh secured a historic Test series win against Pakistan, but since then, the team has been on a decline. The board leadership failed to deliver the required performance, and in sports, performance is the only metric that counts.” Asif said.
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On the BPL issue, he said, “The fact-finding committee revealed several irregularities and negligence, with Faruque’s involvement noted in many cases. Eight of the nine directors opposed him. Just like cricket teams need unity, the board lacked teamwork. Those aligned with authoritarian practices have since disappeared. The remaining members were unwilling to work with Faruque, and as a result, Bangladesh cricket has been on the decline.”
Faruque himself was appointed through the NSC’s nomination, the same process that has now led to his ouster and the elevation of Bulbul. According to the BCB constitution, the NSC has the authority to nominate any of its councilors as board directors.
Despite the ICC’s strict stance against government interference in cricket boards—cases in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India have previously drawn sanctions—the sports adviser maintains that Bangladesh is not at risk of facing similar consequences.
