"We requested him over telephone today to convene a meeting immediately but he told us that he won't say anything until he received the copy of the verdict," said Mobasshar Hussain, one of the directors.

During a press conference under the banner of 'Bangladesh Cricket Board' at the National Press Club yesterday, the aggrieved directors emphasised on reaching an amicable resolution of the issue.

"Rather than entering into any kind of war of words, we want to work in a friendly environment. Let's work together for cricket's sake instead of indulging in 'mudslinging'," said Mubasshar.

However, the long-standing dispute is set for another twist in the tale as petitioner Rafiqul Islam, a BCB councilor, is preparing to challenge the order to vacate an order made by a High Court Divisional Bench in 2002.

"We have already filed a civil misalliance petition for leave to appeal today. The hearing of the appeal petition will be held tomorrow by a chamber judge of the appellate division of the Supreme Court," informed Barrister Badrudozza Badal, legal advisor of Rafiqul, yesterday.

On Saturday, a law court vacated the stay order enforced against the elected directors on August 11, 2002 and the ruling means that the BCB president will have to work with the previous directors until fresh elections are held.

"The tenure of the present committee will expire on May 21 but the Board has to allow us a seat at least for a day before any election can be held. So BCB, NSC and ministry of sport should offer an olive branch," added Mobasshar.

"The victory is not only for the directors but also for BCB, NSC and the ministry because they all were respondents of the petition," he added.

Ahmed Sajjadul Alam, Mahmud-ul Haque Manu, Dewan Shafiul Arefin, Tanjeeb Ahsan Saad, SM Mortaza Rashidi Dara, Enayet Kabir Chanchal, GS Hassan Tamim and Enayet Hussain Siraj were also present at the briefing.