The curtain has finally fallen on Nazmul Hassan Papon's extensive reign at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). On Wednesday, he stepped down from his role as president of the nation's most prestigious sports body, making way for former captain Faruque Ahmed to take the helm.
For the past 12 years, Papon’s tenure has often been marred by controversy as his hands-on approach in all cricketing matters frequently undermined the independent functioning of the board's departments and committees.
His resignation has led to Faruque, nominated by the National Sports Council (NSC) as one of its two new directors on the board alongside veteran coach Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, being elected as the new BCB president during an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The BCB's activities had been shrouded in uncertainty following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, with Nazmul and many other board directors going into hiding. Now, with the election of Faruque, the BCB is poised to embark on a new chapter under the leadership of a former captain for the first time.
Faruque's tenure began on Wednesday, facing significant challenges as the country's premier sport has struggled under Papon's leadership. Since 2012, Bangladesh has seen sporadic success, with Papon credited for exposing dark chapters like the 2013 BPL match-fixing scandal. However, domestic cricket lost its appeal and credibility, with alleged corruption further hindering progress.
Papon's presidency was marred by fraudulent elections and manipulation, filling the board with 'yes-men'. Competitiveness in domestic leagues diminished, and the BPL lost credibility, affecting the national team's development. Despite promises to decentralise the game, Papon failed to implement regional cricket associations, focusing instead on national team issues.
The board's functioning lacked accountability and transparency, becoming a one-man show. All eyes are now on Faruque to see if he can reform the board's activities and address widespread corruption allegations. To set things right, Faruque must focus on domestic cricket and create an environment where genuine organisers feel comfortable. As a former chief selector, he now faces a larger role, ensuring the right people are in the right positions and that committees can perform their duties with freedom.
