The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is undergoing significant changes following the political shift in the country. After the government of Sheikh Hasina was ousted on August 5, many BCB officials, who were closely tied to the previous regime, fled, leaving the board in disarray. Interim Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan has acknowledged the challenges in rebuilding the board and implementing necessary reforms.

During the previous government, the BCB was criticized for becoming a partisan stronghold, with key positions dominated by individuals loyal to the ruling Awami League. When the regime fell, several board directors and officials, including former president Nazmul Hassan Papon, went missing. Papon reportedly left the country before the political collapse.

Former cricketer and selector Faruque Ahmed was appointed as the new BCB president. Since then, ten directors have stepped down or lost their positions, while some remain unaccounted for. Efforts to appoint new directors are underway to stabilize operations.

Interim Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud, who assumed responsibility under the caretaker government, recently spoke about the state of the BCB.

“When I took charge, it was difficult to even locate the people running the board. We are now trying to overcome this stagnation by appointing new directors. But it’s a reality that the BCB is currently running on patchwork solutions,” Asif told the media on Sunday.

Despite the hurdles, Asif remains optimistic about restructuring the BCB and ensuring its smooth operation.

Addressing the state of the country’s stadiums, Asif emphasized their importance as government assets and vowed to improve their maintenance.

“Stadiums are under the government’s purview, so their upkeep and development are our responsibility. If there are any outstanding issues between the BCB and the National Sports Council, we will resolve them separately,” Asif stated.

Asif also highlighted the importance of reclaiming illegally occupied stadiums and working with local government ministries to ensure their proper usage.

Asif reiterated the ministry's focus on eliminating corruption from sports boards and federations. He promised that all autonomous sports bodies would adhere to strict regulations, including annual audits and compliance reporting.

“My ministry will work to ensure accountability in sports boards and federations, adhering to the rules governing autonomous institutions. This includes annual reports and financial audits,” he added.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is at a crossroads, balancing immediate operational needs with long-term reforms. With Asif Mahmud’s leadership and new appointments, the board aims to restore credibility and performance, both administratively and on the field.