Razzak gets free rein from Khulna

Abdur Razzak, who resigned from the selection panel on Saturday, is set to be nominated uncontested from Khulna Division for the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) directors' election. The Election Commission (EC) confirmed on Sunday that only two nomination papers had been submitted from Khulna Division and District.

In total, 51 of the 60 collected nomination papers were submitted to the EC on Sunday.

Like Dhaka and Chattogram, Khulna will have two directors on the board. With Razzak representing Khulna Division and Mohammad Zulfiqar Ali Khan from Khulna District, both will be elected unopposed in Category A. Mohammad Shakhwat Hossain from Barishal Division and Sylhet's Rahat Shams will also go uncontested.

Of the 25 Category A nomination papers collected, 18 were submitted: Dhaka (3), Chattogram (4), Khulna (2), Rajshahi (4), Rangpur (3), Barishal (1), and Sylhet (1).

In Category B (clubs), 32 nomination papers were collected and 30 submitted. In Category C, all three who collected papers submitted them.

Former national captain Khaled Mashud Pilot, contesting in Category C as a former cricketer, is considered to have an advantage over former director Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir of Jahangirnagar University and ex-first-class cricketer Debabrata Paul of Chattogram University.

Meanwhile, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul will not be elected uncontested, as two other candidates submitted papers from Dhaka -- director Nazmul Abedeen Fahim and S M Abdullah Al Fuad Redwan. Two of the three will be elected as BCB directors.

From Chattogram Division, four candidates submitted forms: singer Asif Akbar (Cumilla District Sports Association), Ahsan Iqbal Chowdhury, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, and Mohammad Shawkat Hossain.

From Rajshahi, Mohammad Hasibul Alam, Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman, S M Shams Motin, and Tawhid Tarique Khan are contesting one seat. From Rangpur, Mohammad Hasanuzzaman, Mohammad Rehatul Islam Khoka, and Mohammad Nure Shahadat Swajan will vie for one position.

Scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on Monday. Appeals regarding the cancellation of candidacies will be heard on September 30, before the final list of candidates is published on October 1.