Tamim leads request for investigation into last year's BCB elections

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, along with a section of Dhaka's cricket club organisers, on Sunday formally requested the National Sports Council (NSC) to initiate an investigation into the process followed during last year's Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election.

Tamim visited the NSC premises to submit a letter requesting the council to take steps towards an independent review of the BCB election, alleging that the process lacked transparency.

Many alleged that Aminul Islam, who was backed by the then government high-ups after joining the BCB at their request earlier, used all his power to secure the BCB hot seat. Tamim had initially decided to take part in the election but eventually opted to withdraw, alleging government interference.

Tamim said a majority of Dhaka-based clubs supported the move, claiming that 50 out of the capital's 76 clubs agreed with the demand for an inquiry.

"Fifty out of 76 clubs in Dhaka support the demand," Tamim told reporters at NSC on Sunday.

Tamim said the group had chosen to pursue the matter through a formal institutional process rather than making broader political demands.

"We felt it was important to submit the application through the proper process, and that is what we have done," he said.

"Time will tell," Tamim said when asked whether the request also implied dissolving the entire BCB board.

The organisers said their application focused specifically on seeking an independent probe into the election procedure. "We have asked for an independent investigation committee," former BCB director Fahim Sinha told reporters.

"There could also be a representative from the National Sports Council in that committee," he added.

The move comes amid a wider dispute between a group of Dhaka clubs and the current BCB leadership, with several clubs already boycotting domestic competitions while describing the board as "illegitimate".

The boycott has had a visible impact on local cricket tournaments in the capital. Only 12 of the 20 teams participated in the First Division League, while the Second Division competition was held with just 12 of its 24 registered clubs.

Uncertainty also surrounds the staging of the prestigious Dhaka Premier League (DPL) as well as the Women's Dhaka Premier League as the standoff between club organisers and the cricket board continues.