BCB President Nazmul Hassan Resigns, Faruque Ahmed Elected
Faruque Ahmed is the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after Wednesday’s board meeting in Dhaka This decision was taken after Nazmul Hassan stepped down, which became a step change in BCB leadership. One of the more striking aspects about Faruque is that he was a Test cricketer; his seven ODIs played between 1988 and `99 making him the first BCB president in history with competition cricket behind them. He had also led the Bangladesh team in the ICC Trophy where they finished 6th.
Faruque’s appointment has been confirmed after the National Sports Counicil (NSC) appointed him and Nazmul Abedeen Fahim as BCB directors. They took the post at a time when Jalal Yunus and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam – two directors appointed by the NSC – were sacked. Yunus has already tendered his resignation since Monday, while Alam refrained from doing so therefore allowing for the NSC to continue what needs be done.
The BCB board meeting was held at the NSC office and among those who were present directors Mahbubul Anam, Khaled Mahmud Akram Khan Salauddin Ahmed, Kazi Inam AhmedIftekhar Khokon Fahim Sinha. More than 16 directors, including ex-president Hassan on the grounds that they flew Dhaka promptly after Siddique went into covering up in Bangladesh following fall down of Awami League government on Aug 5.
Fahim was formally inducted as the second NSC-nominated director at that meeting. Consequently, one of the signatories in BCB was switched from Ismail Haider Mallick to Fahim Sinha. As Hassan’s trusted aide, Mallick was influential as the chair of the finance committee, vice-chairman in marketing committee and secretary among members of BPL governing council. Mallick is among 16 board directors whose whereabouts are currently unknown in Dhaka
The directors were also told that the Women’s T20 World Cup, initially slated to be in Bangladesh but relocated at short notice to UAE: Palimps. But the tournament will remain hosted by BCB.
As part of the meeting, BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury confirmed Hassan’s departure as president. Subsequently, the incumbent directors voted in favour of Faruque Ahmed being appointed as BCB chief unopposed.
After hanging up his gloves from TP cricket, Faruque was the BCB’s chief selector for two terms between 2003-07. He took on the role of grooming young talent and giving them a break, players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan or Tamim Iqbal owe many thanks to Whatmore for their introduction. Papon had also overruled Faruque Ahmed, the chief selector in Siddons’ second coming as coach and Mehidy was part of a selection process spearheaded by Akram Khan after he returned to power.
Hassan is connected with the Awami League and has been working as the sports minister for his country since January. He was elected to parliament in 2009. These 16 missing board directors include a few figures directly connected to the Awami League, among them MP Shafiul Alam, former MP Naimur Rahman and Chattogram’s ex-mayor AJM Nasir Uddin. Najib Ahmed and Sheikh Sohel, meanwhile are nephews of the former Prime Minister.
Hassan first became BCB president in 2012 when AHM Mustafa Kamal resigned to become ICC VP. Hassan was the first-elected BCB president in its current form, after they amended their constitution to make way for a board of directors (BoD) three years earlier.