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A suspension, a protest, and then silence. As a key BCB figure returns, players warn the sport is heading towards deeper turmoil behind closed doors.
Fresh turmoil in Bangladesh cricket as BCB brings back Najmul Islam
Dhaka: Bangladesh cricketers have once again voiced deep concern over the state of the sport in the country, appealing to authorities to “save cricket” after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reinstated controversial director M Najmul Islam as head of its finance department just days after stripping him of all responsibilities.
The move has triggered fresh outrage within the cricketing fraternity and revived tensions that had briefly subsided during the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
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According to a report by The Daily Star, a sense of helplessness has gripped Bangladesh’s players, many of whom had earlier gone on strike during the BPL demanding Najmul’s removal. Their protest followed a series of remarks by the BCB official that were widely viewed as inflammatory and disrespectful towards national players.
After a day-long boycott of BPL matches and prolonged discussions between the BCB and player representatives, Najmul was temporarily suspended, allowing the tournament to resume. Players, through their union, also sought a formal apology—one that never came.
The controversy erupted during BCB’s standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The impasse eventually led to Scotland replacing Bangladesh in the tournament.
During the dispute, Najmul publicly criticised senior players and labelled former captain Tamim Iqbal an “agent of India” after Tamim called for diplomatic engagement and an amicable solution. His comments further alienated players already frustrated by the board’s handling of the ICC situation.
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Najmul’s remarks on the financial fallout of missing the T20 World Cup added fuel to the fire. He claimed the BCB would not suffer any losses and insisted players did not deserve compensation, despite reports suggesting potential revenue losses of nearly INR 300 crore. The BCB later distanced itself from these comments and issued a show-cause notice to Najmul, temporarily easing tensions.
However, in a surprising turn, the BCB’s disciplinary department recently cleared Najmul after reviewing his response to the notice. His reinstatement reportedly came after the BPL concluded, with The Daily Star noting that he enjoys overwhelming support among BCB directors.
“This is good news,” one player was quoted as saying sarcastically. “You can understand how things are happening here.” The episode has reignited concerns among players, with many fearing governance issues could further destabilise Bangladesh cricket at a critical juncture.
