Bangladesh Cricketers Threaten Boycott Over Board Director's Comments

A crisis has erupted in Bangladeshi cricket as players from Chittagong Royals and Noakhali Express threaten to boycott all formats unless BCB director M. Nazmul Islam resigns. This drastic action follows controversial comments made by Nazmul regarding the players. The situation escalated when the players refused to participate in ongoing BPL matches, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to the cricket board's funding. Mehdi Hasan, a prominent player, voiced concerns over the implications of Nazmul's statements and highlighted the financial realities of cricketers in Bangladesh. This unfolding drama raises significant questions about the governance of cricket in the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 15, 2026, 15:56 IST

Crisis in Bangladeshi Cricket

On Thursday, a significant crisis emerged in Bangladeshi cricket as players threatened to boycott all formats of the game unless M. Nazmul Islam, the director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), resigns. According to reports from local media, players from Chittagong Royals and Noakhali Express refused to take the field during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches, demanding Nazmul's resignation in response to his controversial public remarks about the country's cricketers.

Match Cancellation and Player Statements

The first match of the day was scheduled to take place at 1 PM at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, but players from both teams did not arrive. Mehdi Hasan stated that a significant portion of their earnings comes from the ICC and sponsors. He emphasized that every player representing the national team has contributed to the current funding of the cricket board by wearing the Bangladesh jersey. He believes that the board's funds are a result of everyone's hard work, and thus, everyone has a right to it.

Concerns Over Sponsorship and Revenue

Mehdi Hasan further expressed that if matches are not played, sponsors will withdraw, and they will not receive revenue from the ICC. He remarked that this issue transcends personal grievances and is embarrassing for the entire cricket community. Regarding Nazmul's comments, he questioned the rationale behind them and whether the director understood their implications. He found such remarks inappropriate for someone in a responsible position.

He also highlighted that players contribute approximately 25-30% of their income in taxes to the government, clarifying that they do not receive salaries from the government but earn solely from playing cricket. This misconception often leads to misunderstandings, which he believes should be clarified.