Significant changes have occurred at the top levels of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after a long time. Sazzadul Alam Bobby has been relieved from his position on the BCB Board of Directors. However, questions have arisen regarding the process through which Bobby was removed, with Bobby himself labeling the move as government interference.

A report by the national daily Prothom Alo sheds light on Bobby’s departure from the BCB. Bobby and Jalal Yunus were the two directors nominated by the National Sports Council (NSC). On August 19, NSC secretary Aminul Islam requested both to resign over the phone. While Jalal submitted his resignation via email, Bobby declined, asserting that since the NSC had appointed him, it should also be responsible for any decisions regarding his status.

Prothom Alo reported that the NSC did not contact Bobby further. He was not invited to the BCB Board meeting held on August 20 in the conference room of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. In response, Bobby emailed BCB chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury, seeking clarification on his exclusion.

Later, the NSC issued a notice, informing the relevant parties that it had revoked the previous nominations and appointed former national team captain and ex-chief selector Faruque Ahmed and coach and cricket analyst Nazmul Abedeen Fahim as BCB directors. Faruque Ahmed was also unanimously elected as the new BCB president during the meeting at the ministry.

According to Prothom Alo, Bobby's name was on the list of recipients of the NSC’s notice, but he did not receive it from any NSC source. Instead, he only received the message from BCB’s CEO via WhatsApp after the evening of August 20.

This situation raises questions regarding the BCB's constitution. According to Article 13.3 of the BCB constitution, a director's position can only be vacated due to death, resignation, mental incapacity, or disciplinary action. In the case of mental incapacity, the decision must be made by an appropriate medical board, and for disciplinary action, it must be in accordance with the relevant regulations.

The criteria for disqualification as a General Assembly member include these conditions. Additionally, if a member is a councilor for more than two sports federations or represents multiple organizations, clubs, departments, or classes, their membership can be canceled. None of these conditions apply to Bobby. Moreover, the NSC did not provide any reason for Bobby’s removal when appointing the new directors. According to the rules, a director cannot be removed without cause before the board’s term ends, meaning the NSC violated the regulations by removing Bobby.

In response to his removal, Bobby expressed his shock to Prothom Alo, stating, "This decision by the National Sports Council (NSC) is government interference in the affairs of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. I am stunned by their decision. It is completely unacceptable."

Prothom Alo attempted to contact NSC Secretary Aminul Islam by phone for clarification but received no response.