The activities of the Bangladesh Cricket Board‘s constitution reform committee, led by convener Nazmul Abedin Fahim, were postponed on Saturday.
The committee will now be restructured and expanded to include all stakeholders involved in Bangladesh cricket. These decisions were made during a meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Dhaka-based clubs had protested the proposed amendments to the BCB constitution, which led to the delay of the First Division Cricket League, initially set to begin on January 20.
“A committee was formed for constitutional reform. According to today’s [Saturday’s] board meeting, their activities have been postponed,” said Mahbub Anam, a board director, speaking to reporters.
“The committee will be changed and expanded in the future. The terms of reference will be sorted out, and then the committee will begin its work involving the stakeholders,” he added.
The controversy began when the clubs learned that the proposed constitutional changes would reduce the number of councillors in Category 2 from 76 to 30 and cut the Dhaka-based club directors from 12 to four. The amendments also suggested dissolving the CCDM, a body within the BCB responsible for Dhaka-based cricket. Additionally, the total number of BCB directors would be reduced from 25 to 21.
Mahbub clarified that the reform committee had not yet submitted any proposed changes to the board or the National Sports Council, and that reports circulating about the amendments were not entirely accurate. He emphasized that the board wanted greater transparency in the process.
“The constitution is a matter of public record, not private,” Mahbub explained. “We thought that the things that have come to light should be stopped. Similarly, the committee needed to be changed and improved because all stakeholders should be involved.”
The start date for the First Division Cricket League remains uncertain, but Mahbub assured that the chairman of the CCDM would meet with the clubs. “I think cricket should begin in the interest of Bangladesh cricket,” he added.
BPL issues were also discussed during the meeting. “All the franchises will be called. Whatever happened, we’ve accepted it and addressed it,” said Iftekhar Ahmed, another director present at the press conference.
“We will discuss it with all the stakeholders in the next 48 hours. We thought there was a communication gap. The players need to be assured. The contractual obligations will be met,” Mahbub said.
The board also stated that the women’s BPL would not be rushed. A revised salary structure for umpires was approved during the meeting.
The chairmen for all standing committees, except for two, were announced. Iftekhar confirmed that the full committee would be formed within two weeks.
BCB president Faruque will oversee marketing and commercial matters, while Najmul Abedin will handle cricket operations, among other responsibilities. Iftekhar will lead the media committee, and the process to fill vacant board member positions was also discussed.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
