'Cricket doesn't exist anymore': Ex-Bangladesh Cricketer Invites All to Witness the Circus in Board Chaos

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh cricket is experiencing a tumultuous period where administrative turmoil and off-field controversies have eclipsed the sport itself. Former Bangladesh cricketer Aftab Ahmed has voiced sharp criticism of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), describing it as the country's 'biggest circus.' His remarks, quoted by Bangladeshi outlet The Daily Star, highlight the frustration among fans and players alike over constant mismanagement, payment disputes, and scandals that dominate headlines even without ongoing matches.

Aftab Ahmed, who has been living in the USA for the past three years, drew a stark comparison between the obscurity of cricket administration there and the pervasive media coverage in Bangladesh. 'I have been living in the USA for the past three years, but I still don’t know where the cricket board is located. Despite working with cricket almost every day, I don’t even know the [USA cricket] board’s location, let alone its members,' he said. He added, 'You could say it is my failure that I don’t know. But people in Bangladesh don’t have that failure. Do you know why? Because even if you do not know, you will be informed by the media. Even if you do not want to know, they will make sure you do, through constant amplification.'

'Cricket doesn’t exist anymore; the circus does. I request you all to witness the circus,' Aftab remarked sarcastically, underscoring how these issues have infiltrated public consciousness.

Escalating Drama Around the Cricket Board

The crisis intensified recently when the National Sports Council dissolved the existing BCB, headed by Aminul Islam Bulbul, due to irregularities in the 2025 elections. While the council's authority to take such action is clear, the timing and subsequent decisions have sparked widespread debate. In its place, an 11-member ad hoc committee was formed, with former captain Tamim Iqbal at the helm. Tamim had previously steered clear of board elections, citing 'political interference and conspiracies.'

Concerns are mounting over the new committee's composition, as several members reportedly have ties to political figures, raising fears of external influence in cricket governance. This development has only fueled the dramatic narrative surrounding the board, prompting Aftab to quip, 'Even if you buy a ticket worth Tk 2,000, it will not go in vain considering the type of circus going on in the cricket board.'

The ongoing saga reflects deeper systemic issues in Bangladeshi cricket, where administrative instability threatens to undermine the sport's growth and the players' focus on the field. As fans and former players like Aftab watch from the sidelines, the call is for a return to cricket's essence amid the spectacle.