Protest Erupts In Bangladesh Cricket Amid BCB Elections; Here's Why

Protests seem to be the order of the day as far as Bangladesh is concerned, as the latest one has erupted in the country's cricket environment after the recently concluded elections for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). 

After interim president Aminul Islam Bulbul was re-elected as chief of BCB, the Dhaka Club Cricket Organisers Association (DCCOA), under the leadership of former cricketer Tamim Iqbal and Masuduzzaman, councillor of Mohammedan Sporting Club, started the protest. 

"We do not recognise this election. There is no point in any discussion. He (Bulbul) has nothing to say now. He is an illegal president. We will not participate in any kind of league or district cricket from now on,” Masuduzzaman was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. 

Saying that a total of 38 clubs are with them, Masuduzzaman reiterated, "If any club faces threats or pressure, we will remain united. Cricket, for now, will remain suspended.”

On the other hand, Tamim refused to recognise that BCB had free and fair elections. He said, “I found it laughable that 34 out of 42 club votes were cast through e-voting – even though those voters were physically present at the polling centre.”

The club officials, who are supporting the protest, have not yet written any official letter to the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), the body that organises matches in the Dhaka Cricket League, which is spread across the premier division, second and third division along with the CCDM challenge cup. 

The CCDM, on its part, in a press release stated that all the leagues will carry on. "The CCDM wishes to assure players and stakeholders that every necessary preparation is being taken to organise the competitions: the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Dhaka First, Second and Third Division Cricket Leagues, the Dhaka First Division T20 League, the Dhaka Third Division Qualifying League, and the CCDM Challenge Cup in accordance with the calendar's timetable,” the press release said. 

"The interests and welfare of the players remain the highest priority and primary focus of both the CCDM and the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” it added further. 

It is not clear what the future holds for Bangladesh cricket, but their men’s and women’s cricket teams are currently doing well, with the women’s team beating Pakistan and nearly upsetting England in the Women’s World Cup. The men’s team defeated Afghanistan in a T20I series and are now playing a three-match ODI series.