Minhajul Abedin set for unopposed BCB director entry from Chattogram
Synopsis
Former Bangladesh captain Minhajul Abedin is heading for an unopposed entry into the BCB's boardroom as a Category 1 director from Chattogram — a quiet but significant shift in who shapes Bangladesh cricket's future. With most divisions already decided without a vote, the June 7 elections will hinge on a handful of contested club seats, and the incoming board will pick the next BCB president.
Key Takeaways
Minhajul Abedin is set to be elected unopposed as a Category 1 BCB director from Chattogram division after Shariful Islam withdrew his nomination.
Only Moin Uddin Chowdhury and Minhajul remain for the two Chattogram seats , making a contest unnecessary.
Directors from Dhaka, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Rajshahi divisions have already been declared elected unopposed.
Khulna (three-way race for two seats) and Barishal (one seat) are the only Category 1 divisions going to a vote on June 7 .
In Category 2 , 16 candidates contest 12 club director positions after two withdrawals.
The elected 25-member BCB board will select the next BCB president .
Former Bangladesh captain Minhajul Abedin is on course to secure a Category 1 director's seat at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) without a contest, after the Election Commission published its final candidates' list on Monday, 25 May, following the withdrawal deadline. With Shariful Islam pulling his nomination, only Minhajul and Moin Uddin Chowdhury remain in contention for the two director positions allocated to the Chattogram division, making an unopposed outcome all but certain.
Minhajul's Long Road Through Bangladesh Cricket Administration
Minhajul's association with the BCB stretches well beyond his playing career. After retiring from the game, he served in multiple administrative capacities — most notably as selector and later chief selector — before joining the board's current ad-hoc committee. His election as a Category 1 director would formalise his position in the BCB's governing structure at a critical juncture for Bangladesh cricket.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Minhajul outlined his priorities: 'It's a great privilege to join BCB as a director but along with that my responsibility increased a lot. After retirement I joined the board and worked in different capacities and now will try to share those experiences in the board room. Since I am from Chattogram, I will try to revive Chattogram's cricket. Regional cricket first started in Chattogram and we will try to revive regional cricket again.'
Most Divisions Already Decided Unopposed
The Election Commission's finalised list reveals that the June 7 elections will be far less competitive than originally anticipated. Representatives from Dhaka, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Rajshahi divisions have already been declared elected unopposed under Category 1. Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir is similarly expected to enter unopposed under Category 3.
Only two divisions will see actual voting: Khulna will hold a three-way contest for two seats, while Barishal will have a straight fight for one position. This means the June 7 polls will effectively be a limited exercise rather than a board-wide election.
Club Category Remains Competitive
The Category 2 club segment presents a sharper contest. Even after two withdrawals — Lutfur Rahman of Legends of Rupganj and Mahmudur Rahman of Old Dhaka Cricketers stepped aside — 16 candidates remain in the running for 12 director positions. This category, which covers Dhaka-based clubs, is where the most meaningful electoral competition will play out on June 7.
What the BCB Board Structure Means for the Presidency
The Bangladesh Cricket Board comprises 25 directors in total: 12 elected from Dhaka clubs, 10 from regional and district councils, one representing institutions and former players, and two appointed by the National Sports Council. Crucially, the elected directors will collectively choose the next BCB president. With most seats already decided without a vote, the composition of the incoming board — and by extension the identity of the next president — is largely taking shape before polling day.
The outcome on June 7 will confirm whether the new BCB leadership can translate Minhajul's stated ambition of reviving regional cricket into a concrete administrative agenda.
Point of View
But BCB's history of administrative turbulence means intent and outcome rarely travel together. The club category's 16-versus-12 fight is where factional interests will surface most visibly, and the Dhaka clubs' bloc has historically been the kingmaker in presidential contests. Watch that count closely on June 7.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Minhajul Abedin likely to be elected unopposed as BCB director?
Minhajul Abedin is set for an unopposed election because rival candidate Shariful Islam withdrew his nomination before the deadline, leaving only Minhajul and Moin Uddin Chowdhury for the two available Category 1 director seats from Chattogram division.
When are the BCB elections scheduled?
The Bangladesh Cricket Board elections are scheduled for June 7, 2025. Most Category 1 seats have already been decided unopposed; only Khulna and Barishal divisions will hold actual votes.
What roles has Minhajul Abedin held at the BCB?
After retiring from playing, Minhajul served as a selector and later as chief selector for Bangladesh. He is currently a member of the BCB's ad-hoc committee, and his election as director would be his most senior governance role to date.
How is the BCB board structured?
The BCB has 25 directors in total — 12 elected from Dhaka clubs (Category 2), 10 from regional and district councils (Category 1), one from institutions and former players (Category 3), and two appointed by the National Sports Council. The elected directors collectively choose the BCB president.
Which divisions will actually vote in the BCB Category 1 elections?
Only Khulna, with a three-way race for two seats, and Barishal, with a straight contest for one seat, will go to a vote on June 7. All other Category 1 divisions — Dhaka, Sylhet, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Chattogram — have already returned unopposed candidates.
