DHAKA: Bangladesh’s first Test centurion Aminul Islam has been named president of the cricket board after Faruque Ahmed was ousted.

“This is a new high for me,” Aminul, who captained Bangladesh in their first World Cup appearance in 1999 and is better known as “Bulbul”, told reporters.

Since his retirement from playing, the 57-year-old has worked in development for the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council.

Cricket and politics go hand-in-hand in Bangl­adesh and the sport has been hit by the turmoil that has wracked the country.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina after remaining in power for 15 years was ousted in August 2024, fleeing by helicopter as protesting crowds stormed her palace.

Faruque took up the post as Bangladesh Cricket Board president after the resi­gnation of Nazmul Has­san, a close ally of Hasina.

BCB directors selected Aminul on Friday and he will serve as president until October.

Bangladesh suffered an embarrassing T20 series defeat to the United Arab Emirates last month before losing the ongoing three-match T20 series in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2025