In a shocking development rocking Bangladesh cricket, BCB director and Game Development Committee chairman Ishtiaque Sadeque has resigned from his position on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
The resignation, submitted via email on Saturday, comes just hours after the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, following the BCB's refusal to play matches in India over security concerns.
Why has Sadeque resigned from BCB Director Post?
Sadeque, elected to the BCB board in August 2025 from the Dhaka Clubs category with strong support, cited personal and family commitments as the reason for stepping down.
"It is true that I am resigning. I believe that I am unable to dedicate the time required for such a large community
like Game Development. because of my family and personal commitments," he told reporters.
He firmly denied any link to internal board disputes, misunderstandings, or grievances, stating, "The claim that I am leaving because of any misunderstanding, relationship issues with anyone on this board, or due to any hurt feelings or grievances, is completely false. "
The timing has fueled speculation, as it coincides with one of the biggest crises in Bangladesh cricket history. The ICC confirmed Scotland's inclusion in Group C, originally featuring Bangladesh alongside England, West Indies, Italy, and Nepal, after weeks of deadlock.
Bangladesh's stance stemmed from escalating tensions with India, triggered by the BCCI's decision to remove Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2026 squad amid political friction. This led the BCB, backed by the Bangladesh government, to demand relocation of their matches to Sri Lanka, citing inadequate security guarantees in India.
Independent ICC assessments found no credible threats, and after an emergency board meeting and a final 24-hour ultimatum, the global body enforced the replacement. The exclusion, effective immediately, bars Bangladesh from the tournament starting February 7 in Kolkata, dealing a severe blow to player morale, sponsorships, and the sport's standing in the country.
