Former cricketer Razzak, singer Asif join BCB board unopposed

Of the 10 directors nominated from divisional and district sports bodies, six were elected unopposed

After days of speculation and drama, 16 candidates have pulled out of the race for directorial positions for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, leaving 34 contenders.

Six directors have already been elected unopposed from the divisional and district sports organisations category, also known as Category-1.

Among the unopposed winners, the most notable name is former cricketer Abdur Razzak. A former national team spinner, Razzak recently resigned from his position as a national selector to run for a seat as a councillor in the Khulna Division Sports Association.

Alongside him, Zulfiqar Ali Khan from Khulna District Sports Office was also elected. Khulna now has no other contenders for these positions.

Ahsan Iqbal Chowdhury from Chattogram association and popular singer Asif Akbar of the Comilla association also secured directorial positions unopposed.

Similarly, Rahat Shams was elected unopposed from the Sylhet Division, and Shakhawat Hossain from the Barishal Division.

Although these six have secured positions uncontested, rumours suggest that many of them are closely tied to the sports advisor’s circle.

The real battles for the director positions will unfold in Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Rangpur. The most eagerly awaited competition is in Dhaka, where BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul and Nizamul Abedin, current head of the cricket operations, are vying for a director spot from the Dhaka Divisional Sports Association.

They are being challenged by former BCB director Abdullah Al Fuad Redwan, the councillor of Jamalpur District Sports Association.

A similar contest will take place in Rajshahi, where Hasibul Alam from the divisional sports association, Muklesur Rahman from Chapainawabganj and SM Shams Matin from Joypurhat are competing for a seat.

In Rangpur, the race is between Mohammad Hasanuzzaman, Rehatul Islam Khoka, and Nur-e-Shahadat Sazzon.

One director will be elected from each of Rajshahi and Rangpur.

Category-2, the Dhaka club cricket category, will see 12 directors chosen from a pool of 16 candidates. Of these, 13 candidates withdrew their nominations, while one, whose club is involved in an ongoing legal case, remains out of the race.

Among the 16 remaining candidates, the most prominent name is former BCB president and ex-captain Faruque Ahmed, who is hoping for a return to the board.

Other contenders include Mohammad Lutfor Rahman (Legends of Rupganj), Istiaq Sadeque (Dhanmondi Sports Club), and several others from prominent cricket clubs.

Category-3 will see one director elected from former cricketers and university representatives. The two contenders are former captain Khaled Masud and Debabrata Paul, a former cricket referee and current councillor at Jahangirnagar University.

A total of 25 director positions are available in the BCB, with 23 elected through these categories. Additionally, two more directors will be directly appointed by the National Sports Council.

The BCB elections will be held on Monday, Oct 6, at a hotel in Dhaka. Voting for the director positions will take place throughout the day, with the president’s election scheduled for the evening.