‘I want to bring Chattogram cricket back to life’: Nannu after being elected director

Former Bangladesh captain Minhajul Abedin Nannu said he aims to rebuild Chattogram’s cricket structure and revive regional cricket after effectively securing a place on the Bangladesh Cricket Board as a director unopposed.

The latest list released by the BCB Election Commission on Monday confirmed that Nannu became one of the two remaining candidates from Chattogram division in Category-1 after Shariful Islam withdrew his nomination.

With two director posts allocated for the division and only two candidates left — Nannu and Moin Uddin Chowdhury — both are now set to become directors unopposed.

Nannu, who has previously served Bangladesh cricket in several roles including chief selector and coach, said the new responsibility would present a fresh challenge.

“I want to stay involved with cricket. I have served in different roles before, but this will be a new experience,” Nannu told Daily Sun.

“Since I’m from Chattogram, I want to help revive cricket there. Regional cricket first began in Chattogram, and we will try to bring that structure back again,” he added.

Following the withdrawal phase, the Election Commission confirmed that contests will only take place in Khulna and Barishal divisions under Category-1, along with the Dhaka club category, in the 7 June election.

In Khulna division, Shafiqul Alam, Shantanu Islam and Mohammad Abdus Salam will compete for two seats. In Barishal, Muntasir Alam Chowdhury and Mizanur Rahman are contesting for one post.

Dhaka division had already become uncontested after only Sayeed Bin Zaman and SM Abdullah Al Fuad remained in the race for two seats.

Rajshahi, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions also each have a single valid candidate, meaning those nominees are set to become directors unopposed.

The club category also saw two withdrawals, with Legends of Rupganj official Lutfur Rahman Badal and Old Dhaka Cricketers official Mahmudur Rahman pulling out of the race.

As a result, 16 candidates remain in contention for the 12 director posts in Category-2.

The remaining candidates include Fahim Sinha of Abahani Limited, Masuduzzaman of Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd, Asif Rabbani of Shinepukur Cricket Club, Tamim Iqbal of Old DOHS Sports Club and several others.

Meanwhile, veteran sports organiser Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir remains the sole valid candidate in Category-3 and is also set to become director unopposed.

The 25-member board consists of 12 directors elected by Dhaka club councillors under Category-2, 10 directors elected by regional and district councillors under Category-1, one director representing organisations such as public universities and former cricketers under Category-3, and two directors nominated by the National Sports Council.

The elected directors will later choose the next BCB president.