Aminul Islam's unilateral decision making draws scrutiny at BCB

Cricbuzz spoke to multiple board directors, who admitted they remain largely unaware of how key decisions are being taken. "I think we've had two discussions so far (apart from board meetings). One was when we decided not to play the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, and another when we decided to give BDT two crores to Dhaka University," a director said on the condition of anonymity.

"I think we had two discussions so far [apart from board meeting] one when we decided not to play the T20 World Cup and another time when he decided to give BDT Two Crores to Dhaka University and if I am not wrong it was more like informing us rather than taking our suggestion," a board director told Cricbuzz on the condition of anonymity.

"In the first instance we were told the government does not want us not to play the World Cup and so we are not going and in the second instance we were informed that we have decided to give BDT Two Crores to Dhaka University. So, I am not sure why there is such hue and cry for not being informed about the media release directed towards the sports ministry considering this is not the first time such a thing has happened without our knowledge and we should be used to it," he added.

Another board member admitted there was uncertainty over how to react, particularly given the potential ramifications of making the letter public. "We are not sure why he did this and who is guiding him [about the letter to NSC] and making it public because we could have handled it in a different way altogether," he said.

"NSC is our guardian and it is not right to write a letter in this language to our parents because for your record you must know that all the grounds that we are using are property of NSC," he said. "The government formed an investigation committee and they can do that because we are not outside of government and forming an investigation committee does not imply we are proven guilty. I think created a distance with the government through this letter," he said.

Cricbuzz understands that while Aminul urged the sports ministry to disband the committee, the National Sports Council (NSC) has already initiated the process. Its committee chief received formal communication from the government on March 16 to begin the probe. NSC official Doulotuzzaman Khan confirmed that the move is well within the body's constitutional framework.

The Act clearly empowers the government to intervene in the interest of efficient administration, and the NSC is bound to comply with such directives. Doulotuzzaman further pointed out that since the BCB is an affiliated body of the NSC, the government retains the authority to investigate any irregularities.

"Since the Bangladesh Cricket Board is an affiliate, a schedule-enlisted organisation of the National Sports Council, if any irregularity or any matter comes to the government's attention, the government has the authority to investigate and give instructions as needed," he said. "If they [BCB] think there is no problem, then there's no problem with the investigation. An investigation can happen. It's not being done by us; it's by outsiders. Yes, completely outsiders. There is a neutral former judge. It is being done by experienced people. In that case, I don't think it's a problem," he said.

"After the investigation, when it goes to action, then there is a matter of law and order - which laws will apply to the investigation and subsequent action. An investigation can happen. I don't see any problem with an investigation," he said.

He added that any engagement with the ICC would depend on the findings of the probe. "That's for much later. That will depend on the extent of the irregularities found by the independent investigation committee. Then it will be considered (whether we need to sit with ICC or not) and then (after discussing with ICC) the procedure for taking action will be considered," he said.

Aminul's tenure, meanwhile, appears to be entering a turbulent phase. He is already facing a growing disconnect within the board and among sections of the cricketing community, with administrative challenges - including the inability to conduct regular domestic leagues due to resistance from opposing factions - adding to the strain. By taking on the government in this manner, he may have further complicated his position. And if his four-year tenure is cut short, much of the responsibility may rest on his own leadership approach, one that many within the system increasingly view as unilateral.

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