BCB denies dropping Shaheed Abu Sayed stand name at SBNCS

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has rejected reports claiming that the Shaheed Abu Sayed Stand at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) has been renamed or removed, saying no such decision has been taken by the current board administration.

"The BCB has not taken any decision whatsoever to change or drop the name of the Shaheed Abu Sayed Stand," the BCB said in a statement on Thursday.

The stand was named in honour of Abu Sayed, who was killed during the July 2024 uprising. The board said the name remains officially recognised at the Mirpur venue, along with the names of other stands at the country's international cricket grounds.

According to the BCB, the stand names have continued to be displayed and used during matches since the current administration took office earlier this year.

The board said Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium has hosted matches from three international series during that period, with the Shaheed Abu Sayed Stand and other official stand names visible inside the stadium and on television broadcasts.

The names have also appeared on match tickets and promotional material, the statement added.

The BCB also sought to explain why stand signage may occasionally be absent. It said signs can be temporarily removed or damaged during routine maintenance at the stadium and other venues, with such work normally carried out on non-match days.

The board stressed that its decision to name the stand after Abu Sayed was made in recognition of his sacrifice and contribution during the July uprising and that the name has not been withdrawn.

The BCB described recent claims circulating online as misinformation and said it believed the reports were part of an attempt to damage the reputation of the board and its current administration.

"There is no room for confusion or speculation on this matter," the BCB said, while warning that it reserves the right to take appropriate action against what it considers deliberate attempts to spread false information.