Former chief selector Faruk Ahmed is emerging as a strong candidate to become the next president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) amid speculations that the current president, Nazmul Hasan Papon, might step down soon. According to reports, discussions have already taken place between Faruk and Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, the sports adviser to the Interim Government, regarding his potential role in the BCB.
Faruk, known for his successful tenure as chief selector and his principled resignation over alleged irregularities, has reportedly expressed his willingness to serve in any capacity if deemed suitable. While Faruk has not explicitly confirmed whether he was approached specifically for the president's role, his reputation seems to be favorably viewed by current officials.
The BCB's constitution stipulates that the president must be elected from among the directors. However, this requirement can be navigated by appointing Faruk as a director through nomination by the National Sports Council (NSC). He could then be elected as the president by the BCB directors. This would necessitate replacing one of the current NSC-appointed directors, either Jalal Yunus or Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby, both of whom hold significant positions within the board.
Nazmul Hasan Papon, the current BCB president, has remained absent from public appearances following a recent student-led mass movement that led to the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. The sports adviser, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, has assured that the situation regarding the BCB presidency will be resolved soon, hinting at positive developments in the near future.
Faruk Ahmed previously served as BCB's chief selector in two separate terms, from 2003 to 2007 and from 2013 to 2016, earning respect for his contributions to Bangladesh cricket during those periods.
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