“Serious abuse of power” – Bangladesh govt finds rigging in BCB elections

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has been plunged deeper into crisis after a government investigation found widespread irregularities in its October 2025 elections, calling the process neither “free, fair nor transparent.”

A five-member committee led by former justice AKM Asaduzzaman submitted its report to the sports ministry, uncovering evidence of vote-rigging, coercion, and procedural manipulation. According to National Sports Council director Mohammed Aminul Ahesan, voters were intimidated and key processes were compromised.

The report was particularly critical of former BCB president Aminul Islam, accusing him of overstepping his authority. Investigators found that he unilaterally nominated ten former cricketers as councillors—an act deemed a direct violation of the board’s constitution and labelled a “serious abuse of power.”

Further irregularities included unexplained extensions to nomination deadlines, allegedly to replace councillors with preferred candidates, as well as manipulation of the e-voting process. The committee noted that e-voting was conducted from a single location, raising concerns about secrecy and fairness.

The fallout has been swift. The government has dissolved the existing board and appointed an interim committee to run the BCB for three months. Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, who had earlier accused Aminul of misconduct, has been named the new president.

The investigation also highlighted the involvement of sports ministry officials and suggested that certain board members, including former vice-president Faruque Ahmed, may have benefited from procedural lapses.

With multiple resignations already rocking the board in recent months, this report intensifies scrutiny on cricket governance in Bangladesh. The coming weeks will be crucial as the interim leadership attempts to restore credibility and stability to one of the country’s most important sporting institutions.

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