Aminul to continue as BCB president after election fizzles out

BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul (centre) at Cricket Board office on Monday.

Dhaka, Oct 6 — As expected, Aminul Islam Bulbul, Bangladesh's first Test centurion, has been installed as president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), after all his opponents dropped out one-by-one by the eve of an election marred by allegations of government influence.

Chief Election Commissioner Mohammad Hussain announced the official results around 8:15pm on Monday at a Dhaka hotel, confirming Aminul’s continuation as BCB chief. He has already served in the position for four months after taking over in the wake of Faruque Ahmed's removal.

Faruque will now serve as one of two vice presidents who were also elected unopposed - the other being Shakhawat Hossain.

The announcement ended a tense election period that drew controversy over alleged government interference, boycotts by several candidates, and last-minute legal reversals that altered the voter list.

Despite these disputes, Aminul’s re-election was widely expected after key rivals withdrew or were ruled out amid a divided election process.

Aminul, who first assumed the presidency on an interim basis four months ago following Faruque Ahmed’s unexpected removal, will now lead the 25-member board that emerged from the day’s polls.

The new committee includes former players, club representatives, and administrators from across the country’s divisions.

While the new board takes office under a cloud of skepticism, Aminul promised ahead of the vote to focus on stability and continuity in Bangladesh cricket.

“My only goal is to work for the betterment of Bangladesh cricket,” he told reporters Sunday.

The two vice presidents, Shakhawat and Faruque, are both seen as strong insiders in the cricket establishment. Shakhawat, a former divisional administrator, and Faruque, an ex-national captain as well as recent board president, also bring experience to the board’s leadership team.

Monday’s results complete one of the most debated BCB elections in recent years, with Aminul’s camp now firmly in charge and several opposition candidates claiming the process was influenced by “forces beyond cricket.” - UNB