Bangladesh cricket insider makes big revelation on govt intervention into BCB: 'ICC not our master'

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) general secretary and ex-Asian Cricket Council (ACC) CEO Syed Ashraful Huq has said that the government’s National Sports Council (NSC) has full jurisdiction over BCB and even the International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot raise objection if the NSC decide to dissolve the board as per constitution.

After NSC made a committee to investigate into the accusations of irregularities during the 2025 BCB elections, the board had threatened the government that such intervention could be seen in a wrong light by the global cricket governing body.

However, the former BCB general secretary has now questioned BCB’s stance and said it is ironic on the board’s part to worry about the government’s intervention.

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NSC has the right to dissolve BCB if…

Ashraful recently talked Daily Star and said that it is in the laws that NSC can dissolve BCB if needed and then even the ICC will not be able to raise any objection.

“It is a kind of threat, saying they communicated with the ICC regarding interference, so that they will be saved. It is quite ironic for the current board to complain to the ICC. If BCB can’t run cricket well, NSC has the right to dissolve it – it’s there in the laws.

“The cricket leagues weren’t run well, among other issues, and if there were violations of election laws, they can dissolve it. NSC can do that without question because BCB is a part of NSC. ICC also cannot raise objections since this is outlined in the BCB constitution, which the ICC follows. Yes, the ICC has guidelines regarding good governance through democratic elections, but those are guidelines, not mandatory requirements,” Ashraful said.

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He also said that ultimately all assets including the grounds belong to the government and in case of a deadlock, BCB will have no powers.

‘ICC not our master’

Ashraful also pointed out how ICC did not intervene in Pakistan cricket when it changed the president of its board several times within a few months.

“We are under the ICC, but first we are under the NSC, which is the parent body. The ICC does not interfere in domestic governance as long as the BCB constitution is followed. It did not intervene when Pakistan changed its board president multiple times within a few months,” he added. “ICC is not our master; they are facilitators and friends. They will follow the constitution.”

Bangladesh State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque, has said that the government will review the investigation report and then go to the ICC.