BCB's new crisis is about to begin: Who will be the second vice-president?

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election began in a peaceful atmosphere at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel today, Monday. Voting has been going on since the morning, which will continue until 4 pm. Several councilor and director candidates, including current president Aminul Islam, have already voted.

There is no tension in the election at this stage of the election as pro-BNP candidates have withdrawn. 8 out of 10 directors from the district and division categories have been elected virtually unopposed. It is almost certain who will come to the board from the club category before the vote.

Only in the category-3 election, the competition is between former national team captain Khaled Masud and former COAB general secretary Debabrata Pal. However, as Khaled Masud's position as a close associate of the government is strong, his chances of winning are considered high.

There is no doubt that current president Aminul Islam will be elected the new president of the board immediately after the elections for the board of directors are over this evening. However, the only uncertainty in this unilateral election of the BCB has been the second post of vice-president.

Nazmul Abedin is already almost certain as one of the two vice-presidents. He is also serving as vice-president in the current board and has also been nominated from the district category. But who will be the second vice-president along with Nazmul is the big question now.

According to reliable sources, the BCB policymakers are now in a deep crisis over this one issue. Because even though the entire election this time has been arranged according to their plan, they want someone for the post of vice-president who is a sportsman and free from controversy. But whoever's name is being raised, some controversy or political affiliation is being found with him.

In a high-level discussion yesterday, the names of some people, including three former BCB directors, emerged as potential candidates for the second vice-president. But all of them are considered close to or beneficiaries of the Awami League government. As a result, the decision-makers are hesitant about their names.

Even the person whose name was once mentioned for the post of vice-president is no longer in the election. The condition of that person was that he would have to head a special committee, which the policymakers did not find acceptable.

Currently, both president Aminul Islam and vice-president Nazmul are from the district-division category-1. To maintain balance, the policymakers want to take the second vice-president from the club category or category-2. But even there, no one reliable and free from controversy can be found.

Sources say that the name of a person is also being discussed who is associated with an organization mentioned as a suspect in the BPL fixing investigation. It is alleged that he received unfair advantages in business with the BCB during the Awami League government and is still trying to continue that advantage.

Many within the BCB fear that if the report on BPL fixing is published in the future or information about the involvement of someone at the top level of the BCB comes to light in any international media, the image of the country's cricket will be severely damaged.

A former cricketer, who did not wish to be named, said, “If someone like that comes to the board, the investigation report may not be published. On the contrary, if businessmen associated with the BCB become directors or vice-presidents, then there will be financial losses to cricket, let alone moral losses?”

Another experienced cricket organizer believes that someone like former captain Farooq Ahmed or Khaled Masud can be chosen as vice-president. However, since Farooq is a former president, it would not be good for him to step down a step, and Masud is also not from the club category. Therefore, policymakers are still indecisive.

In the words of the organizer, “Other reasons can be put aside, but it is not possible to protect the reputation of cricket with those who are suspected of fixing. Their coming to an important position like the vice-president means putting the future of cricket at risk.”

According to sources inside the BCB, if no one is found who is qualified and free from controversy, the second post of vice-president is also being considered for the time being. As a result, a new 'crisis' has arisen within the BCB on the eve of the formation of the board.

Although the names of the president and one vice-president are almost certain, this uncertainty about the second vice-president has created a new unease in the Bangladesh cricket administration - which may persist even after the election is over.