Bangladesh cricket in disarray as players threaten boycott as they demand the resignation of director Nazmul Islam.
Bangladesh Cricket has now fallen into complete disarray.
After BCB director M Nazmul Islam made derogatory remarks about players on Wednesday, Bangladeshi cricket players have threatened to boycott all cricket events unless he resigns. The head of the board’s financial committee, Nazmul, had stated earlier on Wednesday that he thinks national cricket players have to be made to refund the “crores and crores of taka” that the BCB spends on them.
Hours after Nazmul’s news conference at the BCB’s headquarters in Dhaka, Mohammad Mithun, president of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), brought up the possibility of a boycott, which would immediately affect the BPL.
“The remark made by the BCB director [Najmul Islam] has hurt the cricket fraternity greatly and it’s not acceptable,” Mithun told reporters on Wednesday evening. “We demand his resignation. If he doesn’t resign before tomorrow’s match, we will announce a boycott of all cricket, starting from the BPL matches tomorrow (Thursday).”
On January 15, there are two BPL games planned. Together with Noakhali coach Khaled Mahmud, team captains Najmul Hossain Shanto of the Rajshahi Warriors, Mehidy Hasan Miraz of the Sylhet Titans, Mahedi Hasan of the Chattogram Royals, and Mithun of the Dhaka Capitals have affirmed their support for the boycott.
On the fringes of the board’s prayer meeting for the late former prime minister Khaled Zia, Nazmul made remarks that the BCB has formally distanced itself from. They are a part of the ongoing fallout from the BCB’s choice to forego playing matches in India during the next T20 World Cup.
Nazmul was questioned regarding the possible financial ramifications for Bangladesh in the event that they decide not to participate in the T20 World Cup. In response, he said that only the cricket players would suffer and that the board would not, adding that they would not be compensated if they missed out.
“Why [would there be]? Are we asking them for the crores and crores of taka that we are spending on them? Answer me first.
“We are spending so much money on them, they are not being able to do anything in different places. Have we got any international awards? What have we done at any level? Let us now ask them for the money back after every time they couldn’t play. Give us back. Why should there even be a question of compensating the players?”
The BCB released a statement soon after, making it clear Nazmul’s views were his alone. “The Board expresses its sincere regret for remarks that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful. Such comments do not reflect the values, principles, or official position of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, nor do they align with the standards of conduct expected from individuals entrusted with the responsibility of serving Bangladesh cricket.
“The BCB reiterates that it does not endorse or take responsibility for any statement or remark made by any director or Board member unless issued formally through the Board’s designated spokesperson or the Media & Communications Department. Any statements made outside these authorised channels are personal in nature and should not be interpreted as representing the views or policies of the Board.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board also makes it clear that it will take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual whose conduct or comments show disrespect towards cricketers or cause harm to the reputation and integrity of Bangladesh cricket.”