The long-anticipated leadership contest at the Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken a notable turn, with influential sports administrator Mahbub ul Anam deciding not to enter the upcoming presidential race. His withdrawal comes despite widespread speculation that he would vie for the top post in the country’s cricket governing body.
Mahbub ul Anam has been closely associated with Bangladesh cricket administration since the early 2000s and is widely regarded as one of the most experienced figures in the sport’s governance structure. Although he formally became involved with the national cricket board in 2001, his administrative journey in domestic cricket dates back further to 1986, when he began working with the Dhaka Metropolitan Cricket Committee. Over the decades, he has served in multiple key positions, contributing to the institutional development of cricket in Bangladesh.
The elections of the Bangladesh Cricket Board are scheduled for 7 June, following the official announcement of the election timetable on Saturday. The decision of Mahbub not to contest is expected to reshape the dynamics of the leadership race, particularly given his long-standing influence within the board’s governance circles.
Election Schedule Overview
The electoral process has been structured in several stages, spanning from voter list publication to the final polling day. Below is a summary of the key milestones:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 17 May | Draft voter list publication (4:00 PM) |
| 18 May | Objection submission to voter list (10:00 AM–4:00 PM) |
| 19 May | Hearing on objections and final voter list publication |
| 20–21 May | Nomination paper distribution (10:00 AM–4:00 PM) |
| 21–22 May | Nomination submission (11:00 AM–5:00 PM) |
| 23 May | Publication of preliminary nomination scrutiny list |
| 24 May | Objection and hearing on nominations |
| 25 May | Withdrawal of nominations (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) and final candidate list |
| 25 May | Deadline for postal/e-vote applications |
| 7 June | Election day and result declaration |
According to the announced framework, the election will determine 23 directors in total. These positions are distributed across three categories. Category 1, representing district and divisional associations, will elect 10 directors. Category 2, representing club cricket, will elect 12 directors. The final category, reserved for former cricketers, will select a single representative.
Once the electoral college is finalised, voting will take place at the board room of the cricket governing body, with results expected to be declared on the same day. The process is being closely watched by stakeholders, as the composition of the next board is likely to influence the future direction of cricket administration and development policies in the country.
Mahbub ul Anam’s decision to step back from the contest adds a new layer of uncertainty to the leadership race, opening the field to other senior administrators who are now expected to intensify their campaigns in the coming weeks.