Tamim Iqbal prioritises restoring BCB's credibility

Tamim Iqbal, chief of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's newly formed ad hoc committee, said on Tuesday that restoring the game's damaged reputation will be the immediate focus of the new set-up.

Tamim arrived at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the afternoon after the NSC dissolved the Aminul Islam-led board, following a probe that found him guilty of corruption during the last election that paved his way to becoming BCB boss.

"I am sure you all understand that the damage to cricket's reputation over the last one and a half years must be corrected collectively," Tamim told reporters after a meeting with his colleagues from the 11-member ad hoc committee.

"There will be criticism regarding whether we perform well or not, but no one here wants cricket to remain at its current low point. We always want cricket to be a source of pride. Those who work or have worked at the BCB should proudly say they work here. I am not sure if that pride can currently be expressed given the activities of the past one and a half years. We must restore that pride," he said.

"Players must be respected, and every stakeholder must be respected. That will be our primary task. We will change for the better, not just in words. We will make mistakes, and our team may also make mistakes, but we will learn from them and continue to try. This is our main goal," he said.

The NSC has tasked the ad hoc committee with conducting elections within the next 90 days, and Tamim indicated he is open to being part of the process.

"We have been brought in with a responsibility to hold a free and fair election within three months. We will perform this duty with as much honesty as we can and as quickly as we can.

"You would have to ask me personally (whether I will take part in the next election). I may choose to participate, or someone else may, or they may not. When a free and fair election is held, I will request everyone interested to participate," said Tamim.

"It will be a board election, including current board members, players and organisers - everyone should participate. We aim to create an atmosphere where everyone can take part in the election," he said.

Tamim added that the committee will also oversee the board's day-to-day functioning.

"Alongside this, we will obviously look into day-to-day activities; there are World Cup issues, as you know. We will do whatever is necessary regarding everything," he said.

Ad hoc member Tanzil Chowdhury, who has been entrusted with the role of BCB's spokesperson during the interim period, said Tamim will represent Bangladesh at the next ICC meeting.

"We have a representation from the cricket board in the ICC and ACC. Traditionally, and also by design and conduct, the President attends that. So, in our case, we have nominated our President, Tamim Iqbal. And alongside, since we are an ad-hoc committee - we are not an elected committee or board-the ICC has guided us that it would be good if the CEO is there as ex-officio position and so we have approved that today as well," said Tanzil.

The BCB is scheduled to hold a board meeting on April 7.