IND vs BAN: Bangladesh Cricket Team faces shocking blow ahead of India tour as Khaled Mahmud quits BCB role

The Bangladesh cricket team suffered a massive blow ahead of their very important and challenging tour of India, where they will play two Tests and three T20Is in September-October.

They are all set to arrive in Chennai at the end of this week ahead of the first Test, starting on September 19.

However, even before the Bangladesh team’s departure, one key member of the set-up submitted a resignation. Actually, Khaled Mahmud resigned as Director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday, September 11, days before their departure to India.

Khaled Mahmud resigns as BCB Director just before India tour

It marked the end of an extensive tenure of Mahmud with the BCB, where he had held various key roles, including overseeing game development and stepping in as interim head coach for the national team. Mahmud's decision to step down has certainly raised several eyebrows.

His timing of exit also comes at a time when the political changes in Bangladesh have taken a dramatic turn at the BCB. The former Bangladesh captain’s resignation comes after the former BCB president Nazmul Hassan stepped down following an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus taking charge of the governance in the country.

Hassan’s exit led to many senior BCB members following suit themselves. In the wake of the shakeup at the BCB and Bangladesh Government, Mahmud’s resignation seems also to be part of the drama, with many claiming that political changes forced him to cut his third term short at the board.

Mahmud left an indelible mark on Bangladesh cricket with his leading role and dedication to the game. He played a very important role in shaping the future of cricket in Bangladesh, especially when he had been at the helm of affairs in game development.

Khaled Mahmud had memorable stints with the Bangladesh Cricket Team

During this time, Bangladesh's Under-19 team managed to win their first-ever ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2020. Apart from his administrative success, Mahmud was an influential figure in the field as well.

He also served as the interim head coach of Bangladesh two times and once national team manager. His front-foot approach earned him respect from players and board members as well.

But Mahmud wasn't the only one to leave the BCB following recent drama in the country. Other heavyweights, like Jalal Yunus, Shafiul Alam Chowdhury, and Naimur Rahman, also left the board following former president Hassan’s exit. This exit of such senior-level officials has landed the BCB into uncertainty.

Notably, the Bangladesh cricket team recently scripted history by winning the 2-0 Test series in Pakistan. This remarkable clean sweep of Pakistan in a two-match Test series is a historic milestone for Bangladesh, as it was only their third Test series win on foreign soil.

Bangladesh’s previous away Test series triumphs were against the West Indies in 2009 and Zimbabwe in 2021. The Tigers’ dominant performance against Pakistan will be remembered as their standout achievement.

Now, the Bangladesh players are aiming to replicate their memorable performance in India when they face the hosts in a two-match Test series and a three-match T20I series.