K. Z. Islam
KZ Islam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kamal Ziaul Islam Mymensingh, British India |
| Died | May 3, 2021 |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Education | University of Calcutta, University of Leeds |
| Occupation(s) | Chartered Accountant, Entrepreneur, Cricket Administrator, Writer |
| Known for | Former President of Bangladesh Cricket Control Board |
| Children | 4 sons |
| Parent(s) | Khan Bahadur Sirajul Islam, Rahat Ara Begum |
Kamal Ziaul Islam (known as KZ Islam) was a Bangladeshi chartered accountant, entrepreneur, philanthropist, sports administrator, and writer.[1][2][3] He was the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board and held other roles, including President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh and Gulshan Club.[4][5] He organized the Nirman School Cricket Tournament and Siraj Memorial College Tournament.[6]
Early life
Islam was born in Mymensingh as one of eight siblings.[4] His father, Khan Bahadur Sirajul Islam, and his mother, Rahat Ara Begum, were well-known figures.[4] In 1947, following the Partition of India, he completed his secondary education at Lawrence College Ghora Gali, and after a brief stint at the Royal Indian Military College.[4]
Islam earned his BSc in Chemistry from the University of Calcutta in 1955 and later completed a BCom at the University of Leeds in 1960.[4] He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1962 and held several professional roles in the UK before returning to Bangladesh in 1964.[4]
Career
Upon returning to Bangladesh, Islam embarked on a career as a Chartered Accountant. In 1971, he moved to Dhaka from Chittagong and worked in various public sector corporations.[4]
In 1976, Islam founded Nirman International Limited, a construction firm that later diversified into power, telecom, real estate, and other sectors.[4][7] His firm built the first 32-storey skyscraper for Bangladesh Bank in 1985.[4] From 1981 to 1982, he was the general secretary of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (then called Bangladesh Cricket Control Board).[8][6] In 1982, he established the Nirman School Cricket Tournament to promote youth cricket in the country.[4] From 30 January 1983 to 18 February 1987, he served as the fourth president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.[8] He founded the Premier Cricket League.[8] He was the President of Azad Boys Club in 1986.
Islam was President of the Ramblers Club from 1975 until his death.[4] He created the Nirman XI cricket team for the Dhaka Premier League, led by Khaled Mahmud Sujon.[9] He paid for the team to tour English in the 1990s.[9] In 2001, he was awarded the National Sports Award.[8] He was the Chairman of the Development Committee of Bangladesh Football Federation in 2003.[4]
Islam was a patron of several philanthropic initiatives, including Shishu Polli, an NGO for marginalized women. He authored Glimpses of the Great (2012) and completed a comprehensive manuscript titled The Mountbattens and the Partition of India.[4] In 2018, Iraj Waliullah, son of poet Syed Waliullah, claimed Islam, cousin of Syed Waliullah, misappropriated his residence in Gulshan.[10] Iraj filed a complaint with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court against Islam, Khadija Islam, his wife, and Rayyan Kamal, his son.[10]
Personal life
Islam was married to Khadija Islam.[10] They had two sons, Rahat Kamal and Rayyan Kamal.[10]
Death
Islam died on 3 May 2021 in his home in Gulshan, Dhaka.[8][11] He was buried in Banani graveyard.[8] Nazmul Hasan Papon, President of Bangladesh Cricket Board, expressed his condolences, and flags were lowered at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.[8][12]
References
- ^ "Former BCB president Kamal Ziaul Islam dies aged 86". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Former BCB president Kamal Ziaul Islam passes away at age of 86". The Times of India. 2021-05-03. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Former BCB president and school cricket founder KZ Islam passes away". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Baaquie, Belal Ehsan (7 May 2021). "Kamal Ziaul Islam: A legend in his own time". The Daily Star. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ "KZ Islam, a major builder of Bangladesh cricket". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ a b "KZ Islam, the man, the legend". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Mirai by Nirman: The future of buildings is coming". The Business Standard. 2025-02-10. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Former BCB President KZ Islam passes away". The Business Standard. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ a b "Pioneer of Bangladesh cricket K Z Islam dies -". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ a b c d "Syed Waliullah's property misappropriated, alleges son -". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Ex-BCB president KZ Islam no more". New Age. Archived from the original on 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Ex-BCB president KZ Islam passes away". The Daily Star. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2025.