Rubaba Dowla, a prominent corporate figure and women’s sports organiser, has officially been appointed as a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The appointment was confirmed today after the National Sports Council (NSC) formally issued a letter to the board, naming her as one of its nominated councillors. With her inclusion, the 25-member BCB Board of Directors is now complete.
The NSC customarily nominates two councillors to the BCB. Following the board elections held on 6 October, two names were initially nominated—one of whom, Isfak Ahsan, became the centre of controversy. In the latest NSC correspondence, it was stated that Ahsan had “resigned” from his position.
Reports indicate that Ahsan’s involvement in politics—holding a position within the Awami League and contesting in the disputed 2024 national elections—prompted the NSC to reconsider its earlier decision. As a result, Rubaba Dowla was chosen as his replacement. However, due to certain formalities within her current organisation, she was unable to immediately assume her new role.
At present, Rubaba Dowla serves as the Country Director for Oracle in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. She has an extensive corporate background, having previously held senior leadership positions at Grameenphone and Airtel Bangladesh, two of the country’s major telecommunications operators.
Dowla’s connection with Bangladesh’s sports sector is longstanding. Between 2009 and 2015, she served as President of the Bangladesh Badminton Federation and simultaneously as a Board Member of Special Olympics Bangladesh. Her tenure as Chief Communications Officer and later Chief Marketing Officer at Grameenphone (1998–2009) made her a familiar face in the nation’s sporting landscape.
During her time at Grameenphone, the company acted as the main sponsor of the Bangladesh national cricket team from 2003 to 2011, and under her leadership, the organisation played a key role in establishing the National Cricket Academy in Mirpur in 2007 in collaboration with the BCB.
A BCB board meeting is scheduled for later today, and sources indicate that Rubaba Dowla is likely to attend. The other councillor nominated by the National Sports Council is Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashiq.
| Position | Name | Affiliation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCB Director (NSC Nominee) | Rubaba Dowla | Oracle (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan) | Newly appointed; replaces Isfak Ahsan |
| Former NSC Nominee (Resigned) | Isfak Ahsan | Businessperson, Awami League politician | Resigned amid controversy |
| Other NSC Nominee | Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashiq | — | Serving alongside Rubaba Dowla |
Rubaba Dowla’s appointment is being widely welcomed across Bangladesh’s sporting community, with many observers noting that her corporate leadership, strategic acumen, and prior involvement in sports administration could bring a fresh perspective to the country’s cricket governance.