Bangladesh Cricketers Set to End Boycott Pending Apology from BCB Director
Players Demand Apology Amid Controversy
Cricketers in Bangladesh are prepared to resume playing if Nazmul Islam, a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), issues a public apology for his recent derogatory comments about the players, as reported by ESPNCricinfo on Thursday.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy escalated when Nazmul referred to former captain Tamim Iqbal as an 'Indian agent' for advocating dialogue between cricketing nations to address the T20 World Cup impasse. This followed the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2026, which was influenced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to reported human rights violations against minorities in Bangladesh. Nazmul further inflamed tensions by stating that the BCB is not obligated to compensate players if they miss the T20 World Cup, citing their lack of major tournament victories. This led to a significant backlash within the cricket community, resulting in the cancellation of scheduled matches in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Dhaka Cricket League due to the players' boycott.
Reactions from Players and Associations
The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has voiced strong opposition to Nazmul's remarks. President Mohammed Mithun has called for his resignation, while star all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz condemned the comments as 'shameful and inappropriate.' Miraz emphasized that the majority of players' earnings come from support provided by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and sponsors.
BCB's Response and Ongoing Negotiations
In response to the uproar, the BCB announced Nazmul's removal from the chairmanship of the Finance Committee. However, players are demanding his complete removal from the board, and the CWAB insists on a public apology. During a phone conversation on Thursday evening, BCB president Aminul Islam suggested that Nazmul could only apologize in a 'closed-door meeting,' a stance that did not sit well with the players.
Final Conditions Set by CWAB
Following the discussions, the CWAB released a statement indicating that players would participate in the BPL on Friday if Nazmul publicly apologizes. They expressed their willingness to allow the BCB time to process Nazmul's removal from the board. The CWAB stated, 'We appreciate the decision to remove Nazmul from the finance committee. However, we expect a public apology for his insulting remarks towards the players.' They reiterated their readiness to return to the game if the apology is made and the process for his removal is underway.
The Stakes for BCB
The resolution now lies with the BCB, but some players remain skeptical about the outcome. Two BPL matches are scheduled for Friday: Dhaka Capitals vs. Rangpur Riders at 2 PM local time and Chattogram Royals vs. Rajshahi Warriors at 6 PM local time.
Initial Ultimatum from Players
Earlier on Thursday, prior to the boycott of the first match, Mithun stated, 'We have been told about procedures at every step. They proposed a solution, but we did not agree. They requested 48 hours for their procedures, and we communicated that if Nazmul is not removed after this period, we will cease playing.' He emphasized that the players would only continue if the BCB guarantees Nazmul's removal within 48 hours.