Bangladesh govt to probe T20 World Cup absence, BCB election row

Bangladesh Sports Minister Aminul Haque has said that any decision regarding the future of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will be taken only after consultations with the International Cricket Council (ICC), while also confirming plans to launch a separate probe into the team’s absence from this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The development comes amid growing tensions between the government and the BCB, after the sports ministry on March 11 formed a committee to investigate alleged irregularities, manipulation and abuse of power in last year’s board elections. The BCB has since pushed back, terming the move as interference in its functioning.

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Haque, a former national football captain, said the findings of the five-member panel, expected within 15 working days, will be reviewed before he engages further with the ICC on the matter.

“We are all aware of direct interference from our previous government in the BCB elections last year. I have spoken about it on a number of occasions. Following allegations from Dhaka clubs and the districts, we have formed an investigation committee. I will read their report, but my next step will come after I have spoken to the ICC,” Haque was quoted as saying.

The controversy around the elections had intensified following claims of manipulation, with Tamim Iqbal and several Dhaka club officials alleging interference. Questions were also raised over the role of BCB president Aminul Islam, including reports of a letter seeking changes to councillor nominations. Tamim had also alleged that nomination deadlines were extended twice before withdrawing from the race on October 1. Aminul, however, denied all allegations ahead of the polls.

Haque added that the investigation will examine how district administrators altered their nominations, reportedly after receiving communication from the BCB leadership.

“The investigation committee will speak to the BCB election commissioners, the current board president, BCB directors and the CEO. It will also get in touch with the district administrators who nominated the BCB councillors. There is an allegation that many of these district administrators sent the name of a new councillor after having already nominated one, following receipt of a letter (from Aminul). I believe there has to be a neutral investigation of these matters,” Haque explained.

In addition, the minister confirmed that a separate committee will be constituted after Eid to probe Bangladesh’s absence from the T20 World Cup, focusing on lapses in sports diplomacy.

“We will try to find out why we didn’t go to the World Cup. We have to understand why our sports diplomacy fell short. We will form an investigation committee on this subject after Eid. We have to strengthen our sports diplomacy and make sure we don’t repeat this mistake in the future,” he said.