Faruque Ahmed replaces Nazmul Papon as BCB president amidst political crisis

Former captain and selector Faruque Ahmed has been named the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The BCB held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, 21 August and announced their decision via a video on their social media channels.

The decision to oust the outspoken Nazmul Papon comes amidst the political crisis in the country. Earlier this month, Bangladesh PM Shiekh Hasina had to flee the country owing to nationwide protests against her government. Papon, who often criticised the Bangladesh cricket team via statements to the media was known to be a top politician in Hasina's Awami League party.

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WHO IS FARUQUE AHMED?

Faruque Ahmed, a former Bangladeshi cricketer and administrator, has had a storied career both on and off the field. Born on July 24, 1966, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Ahmed played seven One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for his country between 1988 and 1999. As a right-handed middle-order batsman, he often batted at number three but could open the innings if needed.

Ahmed's cricket career was marked by several notable performances. He made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Chittagong in 1988 and went on to score his highest ODI score of 57 against India at Chandigarh in 1990. He also participated in two ICC Trophy tournaments, in 1990 and 1994, where he showed his ability to form crucial partnerships, such as the 108-run stand with Athar Ali Khan against India.

In addition to his playing career, Ahmed proved himself as a successful captain in the domestic circuit. This led to his appointment as the Bangladesh captain for the 1993-1994 season. Although his tenure as captain was not without challenges, he demonstrated resilience by winning back his place in the national team as a top-order batsman. He was part of the Bangladesh side that participated in the 1999 World Cup in England.

After retiring from cricket, Ahmed transitioned into administration. He served as the chief selector of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for two terms, from 2003 to 2007 and again from 2013 to 2016. During his second stint, he resigned due to disagreements with the board over the selection process, which he felt compromised the independence of the selectors.

In a significant development, Faruque Ahmed has recently been elected as the new president of the BCB, replacing Nazmul Hassan Papon. This appointment marks a new chapter in his administrative career, where he will be responsible for guiding the development of cricket in Bangladesh.

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