'Passion made it possible'

Former national cricket captains including Akram Khan (L) present a bouquet to the newly-appointed ICC vice-president and BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal (C) on his arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday afternoon. Photo: STAR

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president AHM Mustafa Kamal returned home from Colombo yesterday after becoming the International Cricket Council's (ICC) vice-president for the 2012-14 period.
BCB officials, some former national captains and supporters from his constituency greeted Kamal, also a member of parliament, with bouquets at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport where he once again thanked all who contributed to Bangladesh cricket, supported and helped him to achieve the honour for the country.
The game's governing body unanimously accepted his nomination at a board meeting in Sri Lanka three days back and the decision also ensured that he will be president of the ICC, although for only one year, after current chief Alan Isaac's tenure expires in 2014.
Kamal will now have to stand down as the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Kamal however did not make clear when he will resign from his post, even as everyone is curious to know who will take the reins of the country's richest sports body after Kamal's appointment as the ICC vice-president.
“My tenure as ICC vice-president has been in effect from July (2012) but there is no need to rush the issue of when I hand over charge to the new BCB president. I will sit with you again within the next few days to clear everything,” said Kamal in a press meet upon arrival at the Shahjalal International Airport.
But if one thing is certain it is that Kamal will leave the board in a state of disharmony. Right now the board has been going through problems surrounding the head coach Richard Pybus, the franchise-based National Cricket League (NCL) and the recent spot-fixing controversy involving umpire Nadir Shah.
Nobody in the board has been able to clear the air about what happened with Pybus and whether he will resume his position as head coach while it was learnt that it is as yet uncertain whether this year's first-class competition will take place under a franchise-based system.
It now seems that the board has taken the NCL decision without having done any groundwork, which has created a state of chaos surrounding the country's lone first-class competition. Meanwhile it's also not clear whether the board has taken any initiatives about the spot-fixing controversy.
BCB president Kamal however was not ready to talk about any issue yesterday other than his achievement in becoming the ICC vice-president.
"Today I can only give answers relating to the ICC vice-president and president issues.
This is a proud moment for Bangladesh and its cricket-loving people. I could achieve this feat because of my undying passion for the noble game.
“For the last 25 years I have been involved in cricket and I not only came up with financial support but I have also been a passionate follower of the game. I hardly miss the opportunity to watch a game at the stadium. I believe that you will be rewarded by the game if you passionately work for it,” said an excited Kamal.
Kamal also promised that he will do his best to contribute to Bangladesh cricket and for the betterment of cricket worldwide from his high-profile position.