The National Sports Council (NSC) on Tuesday dissolved the elected board of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following an investigation into alleged irregularities and electoral misconduct during the 2025 board election. An 11-member ad hoc committee has been formed to oversee the board’s activities, with former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal appointed as its head.
NSC Sports Director Aminul Ehsan announced the decision, stating that the interim body has been tasked with managing the BCB’s routine operations and organizing a “free, fair and transparent” election within the next three months. After completing the electoral process, the committee is expected to hand over responsibilities to a newly elected board.
According to the NSC, a comprehensive probe into the 2025 election—held under the interim government during the tenure of former Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud—uncovered what it described as widespread fraud, coercion and undue influence. Investigators alleged that a compromised electronic voting system was used to manipulate the outcome of the polls.
The report claimed that voters were pressured by government officials to cast ballots collectively from a designated location in the capital, undermining the principle of secret voting. It further alleged that nomination deadlines were extended multiple times without valid justification and that previously nominated councilors were replaced in order to favor specific candidates.
The NSC also cited irregularities in the preparation of the voter list, noting that multiple versions were published and that additional voters from previously excluded districts were added shortly before the election. In some regions, the membership of ad hoc committees was reportedly expanded beyond constitutional limits, and committees whose mandates had expired were allowed to submit councilor names beyond the stipulated timeframe.
Further allegations included the unilateral nomination of 10 former cricketers as councilors without full board approval. The investigation report also mentioned that certain individuals were allegedly inserted into Dhaka-based committees to ensure their election as directors.
Former Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud and his assistant reportedly did not appear before the inquiry committee to respond to the allegations.
In response to concerns over possible international repercussions, Aminul Ehsan said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been informed of the board’s dissolution via email and expressed confidence that no suspension would result from the decision.
Alongside Tamim Iqbal, the ad hoc committee includes Rashna Imam, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Israfil Khasru, Minhajul Abedin, Athar Ali Khan, Tanzil Chowdhury, Salman Ispahani, Rafiqul Islam and Fahim Sinha.
The tenure of the interim committee has been set at three months, during which it is expected to restore administrative stability and conduct fresh elections for the BCB’s governing body.
