Twelve hours have passed since Bangladeshi cricketers issued an ultimatum to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam, yet he has not resigned. The crisis follows controversial remarks made by Nazmul yesterday concerning the players. In response, the cricketers set a deadline for his resignation, extending until 1:00 pm today, coinciding with the scheduled start of a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) fixture.
Sources close to the matter have confirmed that the players are determined to suspend all forms of cricket if Nazmul does not step down. As a result, the afternoon BPL match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express has yet to commence, with both teams absent from Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
Attempts by several BCB directors to engage with the players have so far failed to break the impasse. Reports indicate that the board proposed removing Nazmul from his financial oversight responsibilities, but this has not satisfied the players.
At 11:30 am, the BCB issued an official notice to Nazmul, asking him to respond in writing within 48 hours to a show-cause notice. However, the players remain steadfast in demanding his resignation as a board director. A press conference organised by several cricketers under the leadership of the Cricketers’ Association (CWA) is scheduled at Banani at 1:00 pm.
The current controversy traces back to remarks made by Nazmul following a prayer and milad ceremony yesterday, held in memory of three-time Prime Minister the late Begum Khaleda Zia. Responding to questions about whether the BCB would compensate players financially if they abstained from the T20 World Cup, Nazmul stated, “If they go and achieve nothing, should we demand back the millions we have spent on them?”
He further commented, “We have invested heavily, yet they have delivered nothing on the global stage. Have we won a single international award? If we can argue they failed, shouldn’t we also reclaim the expenses?” These statements sparked outrage among the players, prompting the current standoff.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date & Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 15 Jan, Evening | Nazmul makes controversial remarks after BCB’s milad ceremony |
| 16 Jan, Early | Players issue ultimatum demanding Nazmul’s resignation |
| 16 Jan, 11:30 am | BCB serves Nazmul with 48-hour show-cause notice |
| 16 Jan, 1:00 pm | Deadline for resignation; press conference by Cricketers’ Association scheduled |
| 16 Jan, Afternoon | BPL match Chattogram Royals vs Noakhali Express postponed due to players’ boycott |
The standoff between the BCB and its players continues to escalate, raising concerns about potential disruptions across domestic and international cricket fixtures in Bangladesh.