After days of drama and speculation, 16 candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers from the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections, leaving 34 contenders in the race. Among them, six have already been elected unopposed as directors.
These six directors were elected under Category-1 (Divisional and District Sports Associations).
The most prominent name is former left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, once Bangladesh’s leading ODI wicket-taker, who recently stepped down as a national selector to contest as a councillor from Khulna Division.
Alongside him, Zulfikar Ali Khan of Khulna District Sports Association has also been elected unopposed.
From Chattogram Division, Ahsan Iqbal Chowdhury (Divisional Sports Association) and popular singer Asif Akbar, representing Comilla District Sports Association, secured their places without contest. Additionally, Rahat Shams from Sylhet Division and Shakhawat Hossain from Barishal Division were also elected unopposed.
Most of these unopposed winners are believed to have close ties with the board’s sports adviser. Meanwhile, contests remain in Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions for the remaining seats.
The fiercest battle is expected in Dhaka, where BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul (Dhaka Division) and current Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin (Dhaka District) will face off, along with former director SM Abdullah Al Fuad Redwan (Jamalpur District). Only two of the three will be elected.
In Rajshahi Division, candidates include Hasibul Alam (Divisional), Mukhlesur Rahman (Chapainawabganj District), and SM Shams Matin (Joypurhat District). In Rangpur Division, the race features Md Hasanuzzaman (Divisional), Rehatul Islam Khoka (Dinajpur District), and Nur-e-Shahadat Swajan (Thakurgaon District). Each division will elect one director.
Under Category-2 (Dhaka Club Cricket), 12 directors will be chosen. Initially, 30 candidates filed nominations, but 13 withdrew on Wednesday, while one is currently sidelined due to a court dispute involving 15 controversial clubs. This leaves 16 candidates vying for 12 positions. Among them, the most notable is former captain Faruk Ahmed, who lost the BCB presidency four months ago but is eyeing a return to the board.
Other contenders include Mohammad Lutfor Rahman (Legends of Rupganj), Istiak Sadeque (Dhanmondi SC), Adnan Rahman Dipon (Rupganj Tigers), Fayazur Rahman (Uttara CC), Abul Bashar (Prime Doleshwar SC), Amzad Hossain (Dhaka Spartans), Shaninan Tanim Navin (Dhaka Mariners Youngs), AKM Ahsanur Rahman Mallik Roni (Young Pegasus), Mokhlesur Rahman Bhuiyan (Victoria SC), M Nazmul Islam Faruk Ahmed (Talent Hunt Cricket Academy), Major (Retd) Imroz Ahmed (Kakrailbagan Green Crescent), Rakib Uddin (Ace Warriors), Manzur Alam (Regular SC), Mehrab Chowdhury (Jatrabari KC), and Md Faizur Rahman Bhuiyan (Victoria SC).
Under Category-3 (Former Cricketers and Universities), one director will be elected. Contesting are former national captain Khaled Masud Pilot (Former Cricketers’ quota) and Debabrata Paul, a former match referee and Jahangirnagar University councillor.
In total, the BCB has 25 director positions. Of them, 23 are elected across the three categories, while two are directly nominated by the National Sports Council. These 25 directors will then vote to elect the board’s President and Vice-Presidents.
The BCB elections are scheduled for Monday, October 6, at a Dhaka hotel, where the directors’ elections will be followed by the presidential vote in the evening.
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