In a massive shake-up within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), 11 directors have been removed for failing to attend three consecutive board meetings, as stipulated by the board’s constitution.
The ousted directors include former BCB president Nazmul Hassan and BPL chairman Sheikh Sohel. Manzur Kader, AJM Nasir Uddin, Anwarul Islam, Shafiul Alam Chowdhury, Ismail Haider Mallick, Tanvir Ahmed, Obeid Nizam, Gazi Golam Murtaza, and Nazib Ahmed have also been let go from their respective positions.
In addition to the removals, the board has also accepted resignations from three more directors namely Naimur Rahman, Khaled Mahmud, and Enayet Hossain Siraj.
All 14 individuals, many with direct or indirect ties to the Awami League, have been absent from board activities since August 5, following a significant student uprising that led to the party’s removal from power.
Nazmul Hassan previously held the role of sports minister, Shafiul Alam served as an Awami League MP, and Nasir Uddin was the mayor of Chattogram during the party’s 15-year governance.
Sheikh Sohel and Nazib Ahmed have familial ties to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while Mallick was a close associate of Nazmul.
Before these changes, the BCB had 25 directors, with 10 remaining after the latest departures.
The political fallout not only applies to directors but to players as well.
Former Bangladesh captain Faruque Ahmed is currently serving as BCB president after an interim government took office on August 8. The board also appointed esteemed coach Nazmul Abedeen as a director, replacing Jalal Yunus, who resigned, and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam, who was removed.