‘Stop Fixing Elections First, Then Stop Fixing Cricket’

Speculation has been circulating since last night that Tamim Iqbal might withdraw from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections. That speculation has now been confirmed: he officially withdrew his nomination on Wednesday. In addition, several other figures, including representatives from Dhaka clubs, have also stepped back from the elections.

Before withdrawing and leaving the BCB race, Tamim told the media:

“You ask for fixing to stop in cricket. First, stop the fixing in the elections, then stop fixing cricket. This was not an election. This election will remain a black mark on Bangladeshi cricket. Whatever is happening around the BCB election, it is being done at will. This cannot be considered a proper process.”

Earlier, Tamim stated: “You all know that today we withdrew our nominations. Around 14–15 people, including myself, have done the same. The reason is very clear. I don’t feel the need to explain anything in detail to you. From the beginning, I have been saying what direction this election is going or how it is being conducted – now you are all aware of the situation.”

Expressing his frustration further, Tamim added: “Things are being done whenever and however someone feels like it. This is not really an election. This has no compatibility with cricket in any way. You will understand when the Election Commission publishes the list of withdrawals today. All those who withdrew are heavyweights with strong voter bases. This is our form of protest.”

“We cannot be part of this corruption. Different types of discussions have taken place at different times, but at the end of the day, I feel that we cannot participate in this filth in any form.”

Election Update

• Nomination withdrawal deadline for the BCB director position was 12:00 PM today.
• The final list of candidates is scheduled to be published at 2:00 PM.
• On the same day as Tamim’s withdrawal, other heavyweight candidates including Saeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Israfil Khasru, Syed Borhanul Islam, and Rafiqul Islam Babu also stepped down from the director election.

The mass withdrawals highlight widespread discontent with the electoral process within Bangladeshi cricket, raising questions over the credibility of the upcoming BCB elections.