Tamim reiterates BCB election bid, says ego and anger must be set aside

The ad hoc
committee chief of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Tamim Iqbal, reiterated
his desire to contest in the upcoming board elections as he has a long-term
vision to take Bangladesh cricket forward.
“I made it
very clear in my first press conference that I will run for president in the
next election. I have a responsibility to have a free and fair election.
Bangladesh cricket's stakeholders deserve to have a fair election.
“You have
seen recently how cricket almost came to a halt in Bangladesh. Players were
suffering, so we don't want that situation to happen again. If I get the
opportunity after the elections, I will get to work on my vision for Bangladesh
cricket,” said the former national captain during an exclusive interview with
ESPNcricinfo’s Mohammad Isam.
“We were
given three months to hold elections, but it will be completed before three
months,” he added.
The long
interview highlighted a major shift from being Bangladesh captain to BCB
president, where the focus moves from on-field performance to overall cricket
development, administration, and long-term planning.
“We cannot
stop promoting the game just because it is the No. 1 sport in Bangladesh. I
think we don't promote the game enough in cities, small towns and villages. We
see that big companies continue promoting their brands, because otherwise
people will forget the name[s],” he said.
When asked
how being board president is different from being captain of the Bangladesh
team, Tamim said: “There is a massive difference, of course. As the Bangladesh
captain, you only think about the cricket and the players. As board president,
you have to think about overall development, not just of the players, about the
coaching staff and the board employees. You have to make decisions for the
greater interest of the game. From this position, you cannot make emotional
decisions. You have to consider Bangladesh's future.”
“I am
trying to get in touch with everyone. I am a firm believer about having clear
communication. You have to be more tactical and logical when you are dealing
with your partners,” he said when asked how he is going to engage with the ICC
and other boards.
The
left-handed opener is the youngest BCB president and one of the younger board
presidents in cricket. He said people in the subcontinent find it hard to
accept someone as a leader when he is young, but he added that it is his
responsibility to show everyone respect. “Again, communication is very
important here,” he said.
He also
explained his philosophy regarding how he plans to bring everyone together for
Bangladesh cricket.
“I am not
here to dictate or make harsh decisions. It is not about my likes or dislikes.
Sitting in the president's chair, my ego and anger has to go out of the window.
This is my mentality and this is how I want to take Bangladesh cricket into the
future,” he said.
Tamim
firmly said his first priority for Bangladesh women’s cricket is to ensure
safety and security.
“First and
foremost, I want to ensure the safety of our female cricketers. What has
happened [allegations of improper behaviour by a former selector] and what they
have suffered in the last few years, the No. 1 priority is their overall safety
and security,” he said.
















