Aminul Islam slams illegal proble, calls his ouster a 'constitutional coup'

Aminul Islam, former Bangladesh Cricket Board president, insinuated that the National Sports Council (NSC) had conducted a maliciously motivated inquiry to remove him from the post.

The NSC dissolved the Aminul-led board following a probe that found him guilty of corruption during the last election that paved his way to becoming BCB boss. It also formed an 11-member ad hoc committee headed by Tamim Iqbal, who has now prioritised restoring the BCB's credibility.

"I unequivocally state that the report submitted on April 5, 2026, is a defective, whimsical, and legally untenable document that holds no standing in the eyes of the law or the constitution of the BCB," Aminul said in a statement.

"I categorically deny any and all allegations of corruption, manipulation, or abuse of power regarding the BCB elections held on October 6, 2025. Those elections were conducted transparently by a fully legitimate, three-member Election Commission formed by the BCB on September 6, 2025.

"The process adhered strictly to the BCB Constitution. Objections raised including those regarding the 15 clubs and the councillorship of Mr. Tamim Iqbal were duly heard and resolved via quasi-judicial hearings on September 24-25, 2025. The narrative of "election fixing" peddled by certain former players with political ambitions is a fabrication designed to destabilize the board. The election was held as scheduled on October 6, 2025, consistent with the announcement made by me in early September," he said.

Aminul said the NSC had no authority to investigate a concluded electoral process of an autonomous, self-governing federation like the BCB, adding that their removal based on the probe report suggested government interference.

"The National Sports Council (NSC) has absolutely no authority to investigate a closed, concluded electoral process of an autonomous, self-governing federation like the BCB. Under the ICC's constitution, member boards must operate free from government interference. The NSC's probe, initiated by State Minister Aminul Haque, is a politically driven vendetta, not a legal process. The report is quo non judicibus (void for lack of jurisdiction)," he said.

"The purported dissolution of the elected Board of Directors and the imposition of an "Ad-hoc Committee" led by Mr. Tamim Iqbal is a constitutional coup. This action is illegal, ultra vires the BCB Constitution, and a direct violation of the ICC's rules on government interference. The NSC has no power to dissolve an elected body except under extreme circumstances defined in the NSC Ordinance, none of which exist here. The "Ad-hoc Committee" is a sham entity. We do not recognize its authority, and we call upon the ICC to immediately look into this matter not to allow this illegal body to function," he said, adding that he has called upon the International Cricket Council to intervene.

"When a government body disrespects popular votes, disregards the rule of law, and destabilizes a concluded, closed transaction (the 2025 election), it brings total darkness to Bangladesh Cricket. This creates a black hole of governance from which trust cannot escape. This reckless action is undermining the image of Bangladesh Cricket before the entire world. Who will invest in our leagues? Who will trust our hosting rights? The international community must recognize that the government is holding a knife to the throat of our cricketing autonomy.

"This instability is a disaster for player development. While the government plays politics, our pathway for U-19 cricketers remains uncertain. We have just seen GDP growth slow to 3% and industrial output shrink-how will this political intervention in sports help our economy or our youth?

"We call upon the International Cricket Council (ICC) to intervene immediately to protect the sanctity of our elected board. The "Ad-hoc Committee" is illegal. The probe report is illegal. The legitimacy of the October 6, 2025 election conducted by a neutral, three-member commission including a Supreme Court advocate and a senior CID officer cannot be questioned by any government body after the fact," he concluded.