A Familiar Twist in BCB Leadership: Aminul Islam Bulbul to Replace Faruque Ahmed as BCB President Amid Pakistan Series

On August 21, 2024, Nazmul Hassan Papon stepped down as president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). At that time, the national team was in Rawalpindi playing a Test series against Pakistan. Now, history seems to have repeated itself. As Faruque Ahmed exits the BCB presidency, the Bangladesh team is again in Pakistan—this time preparing for a T20I match in Lahore.

Though the similarities are striking, key differences highlight the contrast. The formats are different—Tests then, T20Is now. So are the captains, venues, and squads. Notably absent from the current tour is Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Back in Rawalpindi, Najmul Hossain Shanto captained the side. Tonight, under the floodlights of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Litton Das will lead the Tigers at the toss against Pakistan’s Salman Agha.

The backdrop to this match is one of political turbulence in Bangladesh cricket. The National Sports Council (NSC) has officially dismissed Faruque Ahmed from the BCB director’s post, ending his short 9-month tenure as president. The decision follows a no-confidence motion submitted by 8 out of 10 BCB directors, accusing Faruque of autocratic behavior and misconduct.

In a move signaling a new chapter for the board, former national team captain and Bangladesh's first Test centurion, Aminul Islam Bulbul, is set to become the new BCB president. Already serving in a development role with the ICC, Bulbul has agreed to take on the leadership role. His nomination as a director by the NSC paves the way for an official election by the BCB board to confirm him as president.

If all goes as planned, Aminul Islam Bulbul will assume his new duties today, becoming only the second BCB president to have represented Bangladesh at the international level after Faruque Ahmed.

As the team faces Pakistan tonight trailing 0-1 in the T20I series, questions remain: Will the leadership change impact the players on the field? Can they rally under the shadow of yet another political shake-up? Only time—and cricket—will tell.