Dhaka, Oct 7 (NationPress) The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has found itself at the center of a controversy just hours after the announcement of its board election results on Monday. A significant event unfolded when Ishfaq Ahsan, a newly elected director, was quickly removed from his position by the government.

Ahsan was appointed as one of two government-nominated representatives on the BCB board, but his time in office was astonishingly short-lived.

The National Sports Council (NSC), which oversees sports in Bangladesh, took decisive action against Ahsan due to his purported political connections. Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Executive Director of the NSC, confirmed the dismissal during a press conference, stating, “We have removed him because of his political affiliations. A new director will be appointed.”

According to ESPNcricinfo, the NSC is contemplating the appointment of a woman to replace Ahsan, which would represent a significant advancement towards gender equality in the administration of cricket within the country.

The BCB elections, held at a hotel in Dhaka, utilized both traditional ballots and electronic voting, culminating in Aminul Islam's re-election as BCB president. This solidifies his position within the upper echelons of the board. Islam will now manage critical committees, including the working committee, the grounds committee, and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) committee, positioning him at the epicenter of decision-making in the realm of cricket.

Among the newly appointed directors, former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud stands out as he embarks on his first term on the board, taking charge of the High Performance Centre—a vital unit for nurturing future cricket talent.

Additionally, another former national cricketer, left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, is also making his debut on the board and has been designated as the chairman of the women’s wing, showcasing the board’s commitment to bolstering women’s cricket.

Other prominent roles have been maintained by well-known figures: Nazmul Abedeen continues as chairman of cricket operations, ensuring strategic continuity, while Ishtiaque Sadeque remains in charge of game development.

In a surprising twist from the entertainment sector, renowned singer Asif Akbar has been tasked with overseeing age-group cricket, a decision that has piqued the interest of fans and analysts alike.

The rapid developments following the election underscore both the high stakes and the intricate relationship between sports and politics in Bangladesh. As the new board embarks on its journey, all eyes will be focused on how it tackles these challenges while advancing the nation’s cricketing aspirations.