Bangladesh cricket team defeated New Zealand in the first T20I. Photo: ICC
Former cricketer and chief selector Faruque Ahmed has replaced Nazmul Hasan Papon as the new chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after the incumbent chairman resigned following the political unrest in the country.
The BCB held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, where 58-year-old Ahmed was elected.
Papon, who is in his fourth term, was in London with his wife following political unrest in the country, which began with a major student protest against labour market quotas.
This toppled the Awami League regime led by Sheikh Hasina and led to widespread violence despite an interim government in power.
Papon had been a member of parliament for the Awami League since 2009. He left Dhaka on August 5, along with 16 other directors.
“I have stepped down as a selector in the past because I was against the system. Now I am aiming to create a system that can make the board run smoothly,” Faruque told ‘Cricbuzz’ on Wednesday.
Faruque played seven ODIs for Bangladesh between 1988 and 1999 and was also the BCB’s chief selector for two terms: from 2003 to 2007 and from 2013 to 2016. He stepped down without completing his second term, following disagreements over the selection process.
The National Sports Council (NSC) appointed Ahmed and Nazmul Abedin, a prominent local coach, as the new directors, replacing Jalal Yunus and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam. Following the announcement, they attended the board meeting held at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The meeting was attended by directors Mahbubul Anam, former cricketers Khaled Mahmud and Akram Khan, Salauddin Ahmed, Kazi Inam Ahmed, Iftekhar Ahmed and Fahim Sinha.
Shakib Al Hasan, who was a lawmaker in the Awami League, was last week cleared by Bangladesh’s new caretaker government to take on Pakistan in a two-match Test series.
“We will discuss Shakib’s situation and whether he can continue under the current circumstances. We are also considering adding rules regarding player behaviour on tours, including restrictions on endorsements,” Faruque said.
Tamim Iqbal, who had a rift with Shakib, last played for Bangladesh in a home ODI series against New Zealand ahead of the 2023 World Cup, but Faruque believed the season-opener would continue to play for a few more years.
“Tamim is a sensible player and one of the best players from Bangladesh. Personally, I would like him to play for another two to three years, if you ask me. But just because I want him to, doesn’t mean it will happen. We have to see how fit he is and what formats are feasible. Tests may be difficult, but it is good if it is ODIs,” he said.
The new BCB chairman also reiterated his stance of not retaining Chandika Hathurusingha as national head coach.
“I am not sure about the details of the contract with Chandika Hathurusingha. I am still in the same place as before. I have not deviated from what I said (I will not keep Chandika if I am elected as BCB president),” he said.
“Now I have to formally review a number of things. I will see how things should be done, whether we can find someone better or at least someone who can perform well, and then I will talk. I have not really moved away from that (last) position.
Hathurusingha’s contract runs until the 2025 Champions Trophy, but he has already indicated that he is prepared to step down if the BCB no longer requires his services.
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First publication: Aug 22, 2024 | 12:35 PM IST