Jalal Yunus has officially resigned from his position as a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and chairman of the cricket operations committee. His resignation comes in response to a directive from the National Sports Council (NSC), which oversees various sports bodies in Bangladesh, urging him to step down for the greater good of cricket in the country.
Background and Tenure
In a statement to ESPNcricinfo, Yunus expressed his commitment to the sport, saying, “I have resigned for the greater interest of cricket. I am all for cricket running properly and correctly. I am alright with their intention to replace me as per the constitution. I don’t want to be a stumbling block for cricket’s progress.”
Jalal Yunus, a former fast bowler who played professionally in the 1980s, has been a significant figure in sports organization since the late 1990s. He has held various important roles within the BCB since 2009 and was appointed head of cricket operations in December 2021. His resignation marks a notable shift in the BCB’s leadership as it navigates through a period of scrutiny and potential reform.
NSC’s Push for Change
The NSC’s request for Yunus to resign aligns with the new sports adviser, Asif Mahmud’s, vision for a politics-free sporting environment in Bangladesh. Mahmud has called for reforms across all sports federations, including the BCB, which has been criticized for its political entanglements over the past 15 years. The board has previously included individuals with significant political ties, including former sports ministers and members of parliament.
Ahmed Sajjadul Alam, another NSC-nominated director at the BCB, declined to resign, stating, “I told them that since they nominated me as the NSC councillor and then I became a director, they have to do it. They can inform me of their decision regarding me.” Alam is currently the chairman of the BCB’s tournament committee.
Future Implications for BCB
With Yunus’s resignation, the NSC has the opportunity to nominate a new director to fill the vacancy left by him. Reports suggest that Faruque Ahmed, a former Bangladesh captain and two-time chief selector, is a likely candidate for the position.
The recent changes within the BCB come at a critical time as the organization seeks to rebuild its reputation and focus on the development of cricket in Bangladesh. The NSC’s push for reform indicates a broader strategy to enhance transparency and reduce political influence in sports governance.
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