Bangladesh Cricket Board Dismisses Finance Chairman Amid Player Protests
BCB Takes Action Following Player Revolt
On Thursday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the decision to remove Najmul Islam from his position as chairman of the finance committee after national team players expressed their discontent over his derogatory remarks.
The toss for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match between Naokhali Express and Chattogram Royals was postponed when both teams failed to arrive at the venue, uniting in their demand for Najmul's immediate dismissal.
Faced with pressure from players and the public, the BCB acted swiftly to relieve Najmul of his duties. It remains uncertain whether he will continue as a director within the BCB.
In an official statement, the BCB announced, "In light of recent events and in the best interest of the organization, the BCB president has decided to terminate Mr. Najmul Islam's role as Chairman of the Finance Committee effective immediately."
The statement further noted, "The BCB president will temporarily take on the responsibilities of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee. The board emphasizes that the welfare of the cricketers is its top priority and is committed to maintaining the dignity and respect of all players under its governance."
The controversy erupted after Najmul reiterated Bangladesh's refusal to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup due to security concerns, while dismissing worries about player compensation if the team withdrew.
He controversially claimed that players would not receive payment as they had not proven their worth, having not secured any ICC titles. This sparked outrage, prompting the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) to demand his immediate removal from the BCB. The board had also issued a show-cause notice to Najmul.
The BCB expressed regret over the inappropriate comments made by a board member, stating, "The BCB acknowledges the distress caused by these remarks and reaffirms its dedication to professionalism and respect for cricketers, as well as the values that support the game of cricket."
The board also mentioned that formal disciplinary actions had been initiated against the member in question, with a show-cause letter issued and a request for a written response within 48 hours.
Bangladesh's refusal to tour India stems from security issues, particularly after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was excluded from the IPL on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) orders due to unspecified developments.
The BCB is currently negotiating with the ICC to find a solution, as the world governing body has shown hesitance to relocate Bangladesh's four matches in India to Sri Lanka.
Previously, Najmul had labeled former captain Tamim Iqbal as an "agent of India" for advocating a cautious approach in dealing with the situation, warning that decisions made now could have long-term repercussions.
The CWAB condemned Najmul's remarks.
Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has called for a sensible approach, revealing that players are under significant stress due to the ongoing situation.
"We have been discussing various issues with the BCB but have not received any solutions. We feel hopeless. Cricketers play for pride, and we asked him to apologize, but he became more obstinate. Such comments are unacceptable," he stated.
"The board has taken too long to address women's team issues. Nine players were removed from the BPL for alleged corruption without evidence, and there are inadequate facilities for female players," CWAB president Mohammad Mithun remarked before Najmul's dismissal.
Senior all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz expressed disappointment, stating, "We always view the cricket board as our guardian. Hearing such comments from them is disheartening. The cricket board operates under ICC regulations and sponsorship income, and we contribute significantly through taxes of 25-30%."
Both Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and current T20 captain Litton Das shared their perspectives on the contentious issue.
"Players, regardless of gender, deserve better compensation. The BCB has access to substantial funds, and it needs to allocate them appropriately," Litton commented.
"We often discuss gender equality, and women should feel secure. This matter should have been resolved promptly, but delays continue. The women's team has achieved significant milestones, and we want these issues addressed swiftly," Shanto added.