Bangladesh government replace cricket chief

Saber Hossain Chowdhury has been replaced as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president because of his involvement in campaigning ahead of October's general election, a member of Bangladesh's interim government said on Monday.

Energy Secretary M. Akmal Hossain has been appointed to the post.

A caretaker government headed by former chief justice Latifur Rahman took power on July 15 at the end of the five-year term of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and an election has been scheduled for October 1.

Chowdhury was also a deputy minister in the Hasina government and is contesting a seat in the 300-member parliament.

Other sports officials, including the heads of Bangladesh Football Federation and Bangladesh Amateur Athletic Federation, have also been removed from their posts.

"We have changed the chiefs of seven sports federations, appointed by the Hasina government, as they will either participate or be involved in the polls," said A.S.M. Shahjahan, adviser in-charge of sports in the caretaker government.

Chowdhury became a household name in Bangladesh after he steered the country to a successful debut in World Cup cricket with two wins in London in 1999 and the achievement of a Test status a year later.

Mail Cricket Editor