The Bangladesh Cricket Board will take a stance on one of its directors, Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan only after he is proven guilty by the law of the land.
BCB director and director in-charge of Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited, Lokman was taken into custody last month for keeping illegal foreign liquor at his home without any permit.
Lokman was jailed Sunday by a Dhaka court after a thorough investigation of the case filed under the Narcotics Control Act.
Lokman was taken into custody three days after the crackdown on illegal gambling operations inside the Mohammedan premises in Motijheel on September 23.
#Mohammedan director Lokman sent to #jail https://t.co/bFnhu1Of9s
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) October 6, 2019
This triggered questions among the cricketing fraternity as to whether the BCB will take action against Lokman.
The discussions were based on the fact that cricket’s governing body in the country maintains zero tolerance against indiscipline – be it a cricketer or an official.
Star former national cricketer Mohammad Ashraful’s case is widely being drawn as an example.
Ashraful was served an immediate ban by the BCB after reports emerged of his involvement in match- and spot-fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League T20 2013 edition.
Former players, organizers and members of Mohammedan Sporting Club gathered under the same roof to demand the dismissal of the club’s acting director in-charge Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, who is now in custody for running an illegal casino in the club.https://t.co/VyAneSdcjS#MSC
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 28, 2019
The cricketer was serving a ban even before the “special tribunal” could reach a verdict.
Ashraful was later found guilty and slammed with a five-year ban.
“The board president (Nazmul Hasan) has already spoken on the matter. If he is proven guilty, the board will take stance too. We are waiting and observing the matter [of Lokman]. The decision on this should come from the board and can be discussed in the next board meeting,” said BCB media committee chairman Jalal Younus to the reporters Monday.
BCB boss Nazmul faced the media last month on the issue and said the BCB was “not embarrassed at all” by the allegations against Lokman.
#Mohammedan Sporting Club Director Lokman #remanded again https://t.co/smVfaA6ifx
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) September 30, 2019
He also urged everyone not to jump to any conclusions over the issue.
“It’s too early to say anything [on the issue]. The thing is, if they have done something wrong, they will be punished. I will not allow any indemnity in the BCB as well,” said Nazmul.
With Lokman locked behind bars, the board is in dire need to fill the positions that have gone vacant.
Lokman has been serving as chairman to BCB facilities, a member of BPL T20 governing council and a member of the actualization committee of the Tk800 crore worth Sheikh Hasina Cricket Stadium that is being built in Purbachal New Town.