Tamim: Building a world-class High Performance Centre ‘my biggest dream’
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A New Vision for Bangladesh Cricket
The landscape of cricket in Bangladesh is on the cusp of a significant transformation. Following his appointment as the head of the ad hoc committee and his subsequent role as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, former national captain Tamim Iqbal has outlined a clear path for the future. Central to his agenda is a project that he identifies as his ultimate aspiration: the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility.
The Quest for Excellence
Tamim Iqbal has been vocal about his vision, explicitly stating that Tamim: Building a world-class High Performance Centre ‘my biggest dream’ remains the cornerstone of his administration. The current facilities, situated on the premises of the Shere Bangla National Stadium, are widely considered to be limited in scope and unable to meet the growing demands of modern professional cricket. To address this, the board has already initiated plans to re-design a facility in the eastern suburb of Purbachal.
“The High Performance Center is probably my biggest dream,” Tamim expressed. “I hope that I can fulfill this dream. We will need big support from the government. Initially the BCB can fund this center. We have asked the company that designed the existing centre for a re-design. We hope that we can start the centre in Purbachal. As you can imagine, such a large-scale project requires a lot of money. We will definitely seek the government’s support in that regard. I have met the country’s finance minister about it, he was very positive about the project so now we have to apply to the government.”
Restoring Reputation and Respect
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Tamim is deeply committed to rebuilding the internal culture of the BCB. Bangladesh cricket has faced a turbulent period recently, marked by controversies ranging from team absences at major global tournaments to complicated relationships with the media. Tamim recognizes that a change in tone and approach is necessary to regain the trust of stakeholders.
“The players need to be respected as much as possible – not just current cricketers, but former cricketers too,” Tamim noted. “Every stakeholder in Bangladesh cricket will be respected. It was maybe lacking in the BCB in the last one and a half years. We have to come together and fix this damaged reputation of Bangladesh cricket.”
Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
Transparency has been a recurring concern for observers of the board in recent years. Tamim has vowed to run the administration with integrity, acknowledging that while the board may not be perfect, the commitment to rectifying errors will be the new standard.
“I want to ensure maximum transparency. I am sure that all of us at the board are not going to do anything controversial. We want to work with full honesty. I am sure we will make mistakes, but I look forward to seeing how quickly we rectify those mistakes,” he added. This fresh approach is designed to move the board away from the shadows of past criticisms and toward a professional environment that prioritizes the health of the game.
A Sense of Duty
Stepping into the role of BCB chief carries a heavy burden of expectation. For Tamim, the position is not about personal glory but about fulfilling a duty to the sport that defined his career. Having been a vocal critic of the board from the outside for several years, he now faces the challenge of proving his effectiveness from within.
“There is no extra feeling that I have become something really big. It is a massive responsibility. I have spoken about so many things about the cricket board for the last few years, so now I feel that this is the time when I have to prove myself to everyone,” Tamim concluded. By bridging the gap between his past criticisms and his present duties, he aims to lead Bangladesh cricket into a more stable and prosperous era.
