Bangladesh Cricket Faces Turmoil as Players Demand BCB Director's Resignation
Crisis in Bangladesh Cricket
Dhaka [Bangladesh], January 15: Bangladesh cricket is currently in turmoil as players from Chittagong Royals and Noakhali Express refused to take the field for their scheduled match in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Thursday. This protest stems from controversial comments made by M Nazmul Islam, a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which have drawn ire from the cricketing community, according to reports from a local media channel.
The match was set to take place at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at 1 PM, but players from both teams remained absent as the situation unfolded.
“The players have decided to gather at the Sheraton Hotel to discuss the next steps. If M. Nazmul Islam resigns, the BPL matches will continue. Until the board clarifies his status, it’s uncertain whether any BPL matches will occur,” a reporter from the local media stated.
BPL Governing Council Member Secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu addressed the media, confirming that a show-cause letter had been issued to Nazmul Islam regarding his remarks. He emphasized that the board does not endorse the comments made by Islam.
This incident follows a growing backlash from players, with the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) demanding the resignation of Nazmul Islam for his disparaging remarks aimed at senior players, including former captain Tamim Iqbal.
Former skipper Tamim Iqbal was labeled an “Indian agent” by Nazmul Islam after he advocated for dialogue to mend the strained cricketing relations between Bangladesh and India, particularly concerning the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
With uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, Tamim had previously urged the BCB to prioritize the nation’s cricketing interests during a trophy-unveiling event on January 9.
In response to the controversy, the BCB has initiated formal disciplinary action against Nazmul Islam, issuing a show-cause notice that requires him to respond within 48 hours. The board has assured that the matter will be handled through proper procedures, and appropriate actions will follow based on the findings.