The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election has turned into a political slugfest, with both sides hurling serious accusations just weeks before the vote.

On Saturday, former national captain Tamim Iqbal told reporters in Dhaka that “powerful quarters in government” were trying to interfere with the October 6 election.

He didn’t mention names, but his words were taken as a direct swipe at Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud. 

By Sunday night, Asif hit back on live television. He denied any government meddling, insisting that routine communication from ministries was being twisted as “interference.”

But then he dropped a bombshell, accusing Tamim’s backers of using his name as cover for strong-arm tactics.

“People in Tamim bhai’s name are abducting others to grab club councilorships,” Asif said on a tv interview.

“One senior official was even called and told to quit the race in exchange for being made CEO. What do you call that if not terrorism? These activities are happening with Tamim’s banner in front. I don’t know how much he realises,” he added. 

Tamim, who is contesting as a councilor from Old DOHS, had stood alongside BNP politicians at Saturday’s press conference, where his group alleged that the Cabinet Division, Sports Ministry and National Sports Council were all trying to stack the list of councilors with government loyalists.

“If you keep changing names through ad hoc committees, this isn’t an election anymore — it becomes a selection,” Tamim said.

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The clash has laid bare the political divide now running through cricket’s governing body. Tamim is being openly backed by BNP figures, while Asif and current BCB chief Aminul Islam are seen as aligned with the ruling Awami League.

Asif insisted he wanted a fair contest.

“If Tamim Iqbal were simply running as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, I’d be happy,” he said. “But not as a candidate of a political party.”