BCB President denies misconduct, says issues with Fahim resolved

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been embroiled in controversy following an alleged altercation between its President, Faruque Ahmed, and Director Nazmul Abedeen Fahim during the Dhaka phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The tension has reportedly left Fahim considering resignation, citing mistreatment and a challenging work environment.

Responding to the allegations, Faruque Ahmed clarified his stance, dismissing any claims of Fahim intending to resign.

Speaking to the media, Faruque stated, "He didn't want to resign. He said it was difficult to work. I didn't hear anything about him wanting to step down. Anyway, I have spoken to Fahim bhai."

The incident in question allegedly occurred in the presence of sports ministry officials, where Faruque reportedly made sarcastic remarks towards Fahim, saying, "Are you acting funny? Do you want to be the BCB president? Come, let me make you one." Fahim later described the remarks as "deeply disheartening" and inappropriate for the context.

Fahim, who joined the BCB alongside Faruque Ahmed in August under the Ministry of Sports, hinted at resignation if the work environment does not improve, stating, "Sometimes, I feel it would be better to work outside the board. From the outside, I can contribute more effectively and engage in discussions that are not possible from within. If I am to remain on the board, I must be allowed to work. Otherwise, stepping away seems like the better option."

Faruque, however, attributed the misunderstanding to the high-pressure environment both are navigating as new board members.

"When you say 'new board,' it essentially means Fahim bhai and me. The rest are all from the previous board. When the workload is high, and there are fewer people, you have to look after many things, which can lead to misunderstandings. Maybe from that perspective, he thought he wasn't able to work properly," Faruque explained.

Faruque also acknowledged the tension during the BPL's Dhaka phase, where issues such as ticket mismanagement and an incident in the President's Box added to the day's strain.

"There was pressure regarding tickets… overall, it wasn't the best day for me as a president. You are all aware of another incident that occurred in the President's Box. I had said 'no comment' then, and I still say 'no comment,' but yes, something did happen. All these things created such a situation… then something was said. What I said and to whom… In any organisation, differences of opinion are very natural. I don't see anything wrong with it. However, I do think it's wrong when such matters come to the media. Efforts should be made to resolve issues internally first."

Despite Fahim's public disappointment, Faruque stressed the importance of maintaining a respectful working relationship, acknowledging Fahim's seniority and experience.

"Fahim bhai is my elder, a senior individual. He's also a senior player—much senior to me. Considering this, he might have felt disappointed. Today, he didn't want to say anything. He was with me. We've resolved the issue, that's the bottom line," Faruque said.

While Fahim accused Faruque of undermining the independence of board directors, Faruque suggested that communication gaps might have exacerbated the situation.
"Because we're both new directors, we've tried to handle most of the tasks ourselves. In that process, there might have been some gaps in communication. Many decisions had to be made quickly, and it wasn't always possible to consult everyone repeatedly. That could have caused a communication gap," Faruque said.

Faruque urged for unity within the board, stating, "The ultimate goal for all of us is to advance Bangladesh cricket. If we keep this objective in mind, all problems can be solved. These are personal issues, in my opinion. I don't foresee similar incidents happening in the future. There will always be minor grievances, but as long as they don't escalate into major issues, we can handle them."