Bangladesh cricket has been plunged into fresh turmoil after controversial remarks by a senior board official triggered strong backlash from players. The crisis comes at a difficult time, with uncertainty already surrounding Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup matches scheduled in India.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not yet responded to Bangladesh's request to move their World Cup matches to Sri Lanka. Amid this uncertainty, internal conflict within Bangladesh cricket has now intensified, adding to the team's problems ahead of the global tournament.
What did the BCB director say?
The controversy began after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Nazmul Islam made sharp comments questioning the commitment of national team players. He alleged that Bangladeshi cricketers do not give their best when representing the country and criticised their performances abroad.
Nazmul Islam reportedly said that a lot of money is spent on the cricketers, yet they fail to perform when playing in different places. It was also questioned by the BCB director whether a single world-class trophy has been won so far, and it was suggested that asking players to return money after repeated failures would be justified. The remarks were widely seen by players as insulting and disrespectful.
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Following these comments, Bangladeshi cricketers reacted strongly. Mohammad Mithun, president of the Bangladesh Cricketers' Welfare Association, confirmed that players are furious and have demanded Nazmul Islam's resignation. He said the players feel humiliated by the remarks made against them.
Boycott call deepens Bangladesh cricket crisis
As tensions rose, the BCB issued a statement attempting to distance itself from the comments. The board said it would only take responsibility for statements officially released by its spokesperson or media department. "We always prioritise cricketers. It is our responsibility to take care of them," the BCB said.
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However, the statement failed to calm the situation. Players have now called for a complete boycott of all forms of cricket until Nazmul Islam steps down or the board takes a final decision. It has been announced that no player will take part in Thursday's Bangladesh Premier League match.
With the T20 World Cup approaching and internal unrest growing, this episode has further deepened the crisis in Bangladesh cricket at a crucial time.
