Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Explains the Reason Behind Removing Faruque Ahmed as BCB President

Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud has clarified the reason for removing Faruque Ahmed from his position as President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). According to him, Faruque was informed about the change, but when he did not accept it, the National Sports Council (NSC) withdrew his nomination as a board director. Asif Mahmud also assured that there is no risk of an ICC sanction, stating that the new leadership of the BCB has been welcomed by the ICC.

The chapter of Faruque Ahmed in the Bangladesh Cricket Board has come to an end. After the NSC relieved Faruque of his duties, former national team captain and Bangladesh’s first centurion, Aminul Islam Bulbul, assumed the role of the new BCB President. In accordance with the BCB constitution, Aminul Islam was elected president by the votes of the board directors.

Aminul Islam Bulbul agreed to take on the role of BCB President after receiving a phone call from Sajib Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the interim government. But what was the reason behind Faruque Ahmed’s removal? Speaking to the media today, Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud said:

"This is not a punishment or anything like that. In the past nine months since Faruque Ahmed’s leadership began, we did not see the development in cricket that we expected. Since this government came to power, Bangladesh won a Test series in Pakistan, but after that, we’ve seen a steady decline. Faruque was also found to be involved in irregularities in the BPL."

Was there government interference in BCB affairs? Asif Mahmud clarified that the Ministry of Sports acted within its authority:

"There is no direct government intervention here. The government has only acted within its jurisdiction. The government did not remove the president — it exercised its right to nominate two directors, and a change was made there. After that, a new president was elected in accordance with the BCB constitution."

As for concerns over a possible ICC ban, Asif Mahmud dismissed them:

"There’s been talk of an ICC ban, but we’ve communicated with the ICC properly. The new president himself has long experience working with the ICC. There has been no communication gap on our side, and the ICC has welcomed this transition."

"The current state of Bangladesh cricket is no secret to the ICC. From that standpoint, they have also welcomed this decision and the new leadership."