Jalal Yunus, a former fast bowler and prominent figure in Bangladesh cricket, has recently resigned from his position as a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and chairman of the cricket operations committee. This decision comes in response to a request from the National Sports Council (NSC), the governing body overseeing various sports organizations in the country.
Having been involved in sports administration since the late 1990s, Jalal has held key roles within the BCB since 2009, eventually assuming the role of cricket operations head in December 2021. In a statement to ESPNcricinfo, Jalal expressed his willingness to step down for the betterment of cricket, stating, „I am all for cricket running properly and correctly. I don’t want to be a stumbling block for cricket’s progress.“
On the same day, Ahmed Sajjadul Alam, another NSC-nominated director within the BCB, declined the board’s request for resignation. Alam, who currently serves as the chairman of the BCB’s tournament committee, emphasized that any decision regarding his position should come from the NSC, given their initial nomination.
The NSC’s call for changes within the BCB aligns with the new sports adviser, Asif Mahmud’s, push for reform across all sports federations in Bangladesh. Mahmud has emphasized the need for a politics-free sporting environment, particularly targeting the influence of political figures within the BCB over the past decade and a half.
Notably, the BCB has seen a significant presence of political figures within its board of directors, including former sports ministers, members of parliament, and even relatives of the country’s prime minister. This political influence has raised concerns about the autonomy and transparency of decision-making within the organization.
With Jalal’s resignation, the NSC now has the opportunity to nominate a replacement director within the BCB. Reports suggest that Faruque Ahmed, a former Bangladesh captain and chief selector, is a likely candidate for this position. As the BCB navigates these changes, the focus remains on fostering a more inclusive and accountable governance structure within Bangladesh cricket.
In conclusion, Jalal Yunus’s resignation marks a significant development within the BCB and reflects a broader push for reform in Bangladesh’s sports administration. As the organization looks towards a more transparent and politically independent future, the appointment of new leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the direction of cricket in the country.