United News of Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, cricket is far more than a national obsession. Combined with its enormous commercial appeal, the game has been converted into the ultimate political currency. The recent dissolution of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the lightning-fast installation of a politically connected ad-hoc committee exposes a harsh reality: governments may change, but the state or ruling dispensation's suffocating grip on the country's most popular sport remains completely unbroken. For decades, ruling regimes have understood that controlling cricket is a way to control the masses. During Sheikh Hasina's long period of rule, which is often called an authoritarian regime by political analysts, the BCB functioned as little more than a direct wing of the state machinery. The partisan dominance was absolute. It spread into every level of the administration, from the high-level boardroom decisions down to the stadium gates. It reached a point where the national team was actually led by sitting members of parliament. This wasn't a coincidence; it was a strategy to use the sport as a populist tool, designed to unify a fractured public under the ruling party's banner while masking the government’s deeper failures. When the Awami League government collapsed in August 2024, the BCB naturally fell into chaos. The power vacuum led to the emergence of a new board headed by Aminul Islam Bulbul, formed under the watch of the interim government. It was sold to the public as a necessary transition to keep the sport stable. However, in the tough landscape of Bangladeshi sports politics, this board quickly became a target for the next political force waiting in the wings. This week, the National Sports Council (NSC)—now operating under the newly elected BNP-led government—dissolved Aminul’s board. They cited severe electoral fraud and manipulation as the reason. While the allegations of rigged e-voting and administrative coercion are serious, the underlying motive feels far too familiar to anyone watching. Govt dissolves BCB board over election fraud; Tamim appointed as interim head This ouster doesn't look like a crusade for transparency; it looks like a calculated purge. It is a move to erase the interim government's footprint and allow a new regime to capture the board's massive resources and public influence. The makeup of the new 11-member ad-hoc committee, led by former national captain Tamim Iqbal, shows this political reality clearly. While they are tasked with holding a fair election within three months, the committee is heavily stacked with the immediate family members of senior BNP figures—including the sons of both the Home Minister and the Finance Minister, alongside a BNP-affiliated lawyer. The faces in the boardroom have changed, but the structural strategy is identical: a new political net has simply been cast over the BCB. This cyclical power grab shows a deep hypocrisy within the nation's sports administration. The very same political factions that spent years condemning the Awami League for weaponizing the cricket board are now eagerly sharing the rewards of winning using the exact same government tools. Ousted BCB chief Aminul denounces board dissolution as ‘constitutional coup,’ appeals to ICC The NSC's intervention is a blunt instrument of control, one that flagrantly ignores the International Cricket Council's (ICC) strict rules against government interference. Yet, the usual threat of an ICC suspension for state interference might be empty this time around. The sport's global governing body is currently chaired by the powerful Indian administrator Jay Shah, and his leadership operates against a very sensitive geopolitical backdrop. During the interim government’s time, Aminul’s board drew New Delhi's ire by refusing to play in India during the last T20 World Cup, citing legitimate security concerns amid growing tensions between the two countries. The diplomatic standoff erupted shortly after Indian authorities forced the Kolkata Knightriders to terminate Mustafizur Rahman's contract to play for them in this year's IPL, cricket's biggest money-spinner, claiming unspecified security risks. Hanging heavily over these athletic disputes was a glaring political reality: ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—accused of planning the deaths of over 1,400 citizens during the July mass uprising—was actively being sheltered in Delhi. Because Aminul’s public defiance directly challenged the Indian cricket establishment, the current ICC leadership may be perfectly willing to turn a blind eye to the NSC’s action, which was called a “bureaucratic coup” by Aminul. It is a situation where geopolitical retribution might be allowed to quietly override the ICC’s own governance statutes. While politicians, ex-players, and their proxies battle for control of the lucrative BCB chair, the actual development of the sport is being pushed to the side. In Bangladesh, regimes rise and fall, but the cricket board remains a captured prize, trapped in a vicious cycle of political patronage that it cannot seem to escape. Ultimately, this endless political tug-of-war leaves the sport itself as the biggest casualty.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a strict ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup or be replaced. In a decisive board meeting on Wednesday, the global body voted in favor of bringing in a replacement team if Bangladesh persists in its refusal to play in the host nation.  The BCB has been granted a final 24-hour window to consult with its government and confirm whether they will adhere to the tournament schedule. If Bangladesh ultimately declines to travel, Scotland is expected to take their place in Group C, despite failing to qualify directly during the European Qualifiers. The decision to replace Bangladesh was reached via a majority vote by the ICC Board, which included directors from all Full Member nations, such as ICC Chair Jay Shah, BCB President Aminul Islam, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Bangladesh not to accept any illogical ICC conditions under Indian pressure: Sports Adviser The vote proceeded despite a late diplomatic intervention from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had written to the ICC formally supporting Bangladesh’s stance regarding security concerns in India. The standoff centers on Bangladesh's refusal to play its group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing political turmoil and safety risks. However, an independent risk assessment report reviewed during the meeting reportedly stated that while the general threat environment in India is “moderate-high,” there is “no information to indicate a direct threat against participating teams.” Pakistan formally backs Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India With the tournament set to begin on February 7, the ICC has refused to alter the schedule or move matches to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka. The cricketing world now waits for the BCB's final response tomorrow, which will determine whether the Tigers compete or forfeit their spot on the global stage.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday (January 07, 2026) dismissed media reports claiming it had received an ultimatum from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, and said it will continue ‘constructive engagement’ with ICC for T20 World Cup solution.  In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the board termed such reports as ‘completely false and unfounded,’ clarifying that the communication received from the global body was cooperative in nature. The clarification comes amidst a deepening diplomatic and sporting crisis triggered by the exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, which led Bangladesh to request a venue change for their World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. Read more: ICC to BCB: Play in India or forfeit points “The BCB categorically states that such claims (of an ultimatum) ... do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC,” the media release read. The board confirmed that the ICC has formally responded to Bangladesh's concerns regarding the safety and security of the national team. According to the BCB, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring Bangladesh's ‘full and uninterrupted participation’ and has expressed a willingness to work closely with the board on detailed security planning. The BCB emphasized that it would continue ‘constructive engagement’ with the ICC to reach an “affable and practical solution.” This diplomatic tone comes as a slight shift from the hardline stance seen earlier in the week, where government officials had signaled a potential boycott of the tournament if the venue was not changed. Read more: BCB eyes ICC intervention for World Cup security following Mustafizur’s IPL exit However, the board reiterated that the safety and well-being of the players remain its ‘highest priority.’

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) General Secretary Syed Ashraful Haque has expressed his desire of contesting the upcoming BCB elections in October. He also expressed keen to lead the board and bring structural reforms to the country’s cricket administration. In an interview with a local media, the former BCB official said he was seriously considering a return to cricket governance after years away from the national setup. “I’ve spent a long time working in cricket, both at home and abroad. Now, at this stage of life, I want to give something back,” he said. Ashraf, who served as CEO of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for over a decade, said he wants to bring decentralisation to BCB operations if elected. “For 25 years we’ve talked about forming regional cricket associations, but it still hasn’t happened. Cricket cannot remain centralised in Dhaka and a few cities,” he said. “We must take cricket to rural areas, set up independent local bodies that can operate without constant central interference.” A former cricketer himself, Ashraf was the first Bangladeshi batter to score a double century in domestic competition in the early 1980s. He later became a prominent figure in cricket governance, especially during his long tenure at the ACC. HC issues rule over BCB director appointment, orders ‘status quo’ on board operations “Yes, I will contest for president. Given my age and experience, this is the right time. But even as a director, one can contribute significantly—if they are allowed to,” he said when asked whether he would seek the presidency if elected to the board. He also stressed the need for financial transparency at the BCB. “At the ACC, we published financial reports every two weeks on the website. BCB should do the same. The public deserves accountability.” Ashraf also took aim at the overreach of the BCB president’s role, calling for constitutional reforms to curb excessive control. “A board president should not be a one-man show,” he said. “This centralised model is holding our cricket back.” Declining to comment directly on the recent removal of Faruque Ahmed and appointment of Aminul Islam Bulbul as interim BCB president, Ashraf made it clear he wants no part in the board’s political games. “I’m not here for internal politics,” he said. “I’m here to help improve cricket.” Former captain Aminul Islam Bulbul installed as new BCB president BCB’s next general election will take place later this year, which will be the first election since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government that triggered widespread overhaul in administration of many organisations in the country.

Bangladesh cricketers Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain have decided not to return to Pakistan for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Thursday. Both players were part of the 2025 PSL season and returned home earlier this month after the league was suspended due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.  Although the tournament is set to resume on May 17, the duo has opted out of making a return. Earlier, the BCB had been working with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh High Commission to assess the situation, especially after a reported drone strike near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium forced the postponement of two matches. The incident raised serious safety concerns among overseas players, including Rishad and Nahid. At the time, the board stated it was actively working to bring both players back “in a timely and secure manner.”

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received government approval to proceed with the national team’s five-match T20I series in Pakistan, scheduled to commence later this month. Farque Ahmed, the president of the board, confirmed the development to the media.  This decision follows a period of uncertainty due to recent tensions between India and Pakistan, which had previously led to the postponement of both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to BCB president, while the government has given the green light, the board is still awaiting the official letter to finalize the tour. Mustafizur’s INR 6 crore IPL deal not full payout, here's why He said the importance of ensuring the safety and comfort of players and coaching staff before making a definitive decision. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a revised itinerary, with the series set to begin on May 27 in Faisalabad and conclude on June 5 in Lahore. The adjustments were made to accommodate the resumption of the PSL, which is slated to restart on May 17. Despite the government’s approval, some Bangladeshi players have expressed reservations about traveling to Pakistan, citing security concerns. The BCB has said that it will not compel any player to participate and will engage in discussions with the squad to address their apprehensions. Shakib set to return with Lahore Qalandars in PSL

Towhid Hridoy, one of the most talked-about figures in Bangladesh cricket in recent weeks, has been handed a four-match suspension in the Dhaka Premier League following a fresh breach of conduct. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) issued the ban after Hridoy showed visible dissent after his dismissal during Friday’s match against Gazi Group Cricketers. Although summoned for a hearing, the Mohammedan Sporting Club player did not appear. As a result, match referee Akhtar Ahmed fined him BDT 10,000 and added one more demerit point to his record. Premier Division Super League: Mohammedan, Abahani, Agrani Bank all win Hridoy already had seven demerit points from previous offenses. With the latest addition, he now accumulates eight points, which under Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) code of conduct automatically triggers a four-match ban. The CCDM has confirmed that the suspension takes immediate effect, ruling Hridoy out of Mohammedan’s crucial clash against Abahani Limited, widely regarded as the "unofficial final" of the league.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced the squad for the opening Test of the two-match home series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to begin on 20 April at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The second Test will take place in Chattogram from 28 April. The major talking point from the announcement is the absence of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who misses out due to injury. BCB’s Senior Physician Dr. Debashis Chowdhury confirmed that the pacer is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a left Achilles tendon issue and has not been deemed fit for the series. James Pamment appointed as Bangladesh’s new fielding coach In Taskin’s absence, 22-year-old Tanzim Hasan Sakib has earned his maiden Test call-up. The right-arm fast bowler has represented Bangladesh in 28 white-ball matches but is yet to feature in the longest format.  The Test series is the beginning of a packed international calendar for Bangladesh, with the team set to play continuous cricket through early 2027. Bangladesh squad for first Zimbabwe Test:  Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Despite their lean show in the field, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will still earn at least Tk  3 crores from the ongoing edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.  A total of eight teams are participating in this year's Champions Trophy, and they are playing in two groups. All these teams will get USD 125,000 for participating in the event.  On top of that, Bangladesh will earn USD 140,000 even if they end the tournament as the lowest team, or the eighth team in the points table. In total, Bangladesh will earn at least USD 265,000, which is more than BDT 3 crores in current exchange rate.  Bangladesh lost the first two matches in the event— one against India, and another one against New Zealand. In the last match, they will take on the hosts Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Thursday. If they can win this match and end their campaign on a high note, they will earn more USD 34,000, or BDT more than 40 lakh.  Bangladeshi cricketers slip in rankings amid Champions Trophy struggles Total prize money of this year’s Champions Trophy is USD 6.9 million— more than 56% increased compared to the last edition of the Champions Trophy that took place in 2017— and the winner of the event will get USD 2.24 million, and the runners up will receive USD 1.12 million.  Tw0 teams who will be eliminated from the semifinals will get more than half a million USD each.  This year’s Champions Trophy is being played across venues in the UAE and Pakistan. All the matches were supposed to be hosted in Pakistan, but due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan, some matches are taking place in the UAE. 

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed has reassured players participating in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) that they will receive their payments despite several franchises failing to pay the first installment of their contracts on time. According to the payment schedule, franchises are required to pay 50% of a player’s fee before the tournament begins, 25% during the competition, and the remaining amount after its conclusion. The seven-team league kicked off on December 30. Faruque, who became BCB president in August and a former Bangladesh captain, confirmed the ongoing discussions with the franchises to resolve the issue. Read: Taskin's 7-wicket-haul blitz shatters BPL record However, he refrained from providing specific reasons why most franchises, except Fortune Barishal, failed to meet the bank guarantee requirement mandated by the BCB. This guarantee ensures that players are paid by the board if franchises default on payments. Although the BCB has utilised bank guarantees in previous seasons to cover unpaid dues, the absence of such guarantees this year has raised concerns about players’ financial security. "We have been engaging with the franchise owners from the outset," Faruque said. "I’ve emphasised that payments must be made. If you ask me to give a definitive reason why they didn’t provide the bank guarantee, I can’t. One has to consider the broader circumstances of the last four months." The BCB president assured that measures were being taken to address the issue. "This doesn’t mean players will go unpaid. We have adopted various strategies to work with the franchises. I’ve personally reached out as the board president to ensure they see us as partners. They are investing in Bangladesh cricket as well," he added. Read more: Defending champions Barishal start BPL with thumping win over Rajshahi The payment controversy follows a ticketing mishap on the tournament’s opening day, which led to agitated fans damaging the main gate of the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Source: With inputs from ESPNCrickinfo