Bangladesh cricket loses a friend

Indian cricket chief Jagmohan Dalmiya passed away last night aged 75.

He had been admitted to the BM Birla Hospital with severe chest pain on Thursday.

Born on May 30, 1940 in Kolkata, Dalmiya was one of the greatest cricket administrators known to the game. He is often considered the man to have transformed cricket into a global game. He joined the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 1979 and helped bring the World Cup to India in 1987.

Dalmiya was appointed the interim president of the BCCI in June 2013, when N Srinivasan stepped down. Srinivasan returned as the president in October 2013. On March 2015, Dalmiya became the president of the BCCI again after a 10-year gap. He was also president of the ICC from 1997 to 2000.

His health had been a cause of concern for a long time but he was said to be recuperating well in Kolkata. Dalmiya was credited largely with bringing in money into Indian cricket during his initial years with the Board.

The BCCI expressed its condolence after the sudden demise while BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur called it a personal loss.

"The greatest sports administrator of India has passed away, an era ends. A personal loss to me & Indian cricket. @BCCI #RIPDalmiyaJi," Thakur tweeted.

Dalmiya was also a selfless patron of Bangladesh cricket. It was because of his patronisation that Bangladesh won the Test status in 2000 when he was president of the game's governing body.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, former president of Bangladesh Cricket Board, said Dalmiya's contribution to Bangladesh cricket was invaluable.

"I'm deeply saddened at the loss of an inspiring visionary and a great leader. Bangladesh cricket can never repay his debt and the world cricket also owes him deep gratitude," Saber told The Daily Star Sport by phone last night.

"Where Bangladesh cricket is today is in no small measure due to the steadfast support and patronisation of Jagmohan Dalmiya," he added. 

Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan Papon also expressed his deep sadness at the passing away of Dalmiya.

 "With the passing away of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Bangladesh cricket has lost a true friend and a genuine well-wisher.

 "We are forever grateful for the assistance and warmth received from Mr Dalmiya in taking cricket forward in Bangladesh. It is also apt to say that Bangladesh's elevation to Test status in many ways was a result of his farsightedness and wholehearted support.

"World cricket will sorely miss his dynamism, leadership and vision. His glittering legacy in cricket administration, however, will live on," read a BCB statement.