BCB President Nazmul Hasan set to resign

In a recent turn of events, Nazmul Hasan, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), is gearing up to step down from his position. The announcement comes shortly after Hasan assumed the role of Minister of Youth and Sports on January 11, following his election to the parliament on January 7.

Concerns arose about Hasan’s ability to juggle both responsibilities – serving as the head of BCB since 2012 and now taking on a governmental role. Addressing the speculations, Hasan stated,

“There are no problems in the law about me holding both posts (BCB president and Minister of Youth and Sports),” There is no relationship between getting ministry and leaving from the post of BCB because earlier there were several ministers who also fulfilled the roles. It is also there abroad and so that is not the issue, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Despite the legal allowance, Hasan expressed his preference for avoiding any conflict of interest, saying, “but it would be good if that is not the case (holding both the posts) because then there might be speculations of me prioritizing cricket. I want to prioritize everything (being the Minister of Sports).”

However, Hasan clarified that he is committed to completing his current tenure as BCB president, citing the importance of stability for the country’s cricket. Exploring options, he mentioned the possibility of discussing the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC) after their term concludes.

“Basically there are quite a few factors here. First thing is that even if I wish for it, I can’t leave now. We have seen this in the case of Zimbabwe where they were suspended for almost two years and also in the case of Sri Lanka. I feel that there can’t be a rush to take a decision which may harm the country’s cricket. One option is to talk to the ICC because there are two things which are very important. One is our term, which ICC always wants that an elected body finish their full term and the other is ICC’s current board’s own term,” he said.

“Greg Barclay is the chairman and his tenure possibly ends at the end of this year. In this time, various people are given charge of different committees and I am also in various committees. I am also chairman of one committee and they don’t accept changes in these positions. So if I leave suddenly, who will be the chairman of that committee? So I have to talk to the ICC. I feel that at the earliest, when ICC’s term ends, then I can talk to them and have an opportunity to get out of it smoothly,” he added.

With the next BCB elections scheduled for October 2025, if Hasan steps down immediately, an interim president from the current board members will be appointed to oversee the cricketing affairs.