Mohammad Mithun, the President of the Bangladesh Cricketers’ Welfare Association (BCWA), has reportedly received a series of threatening phone calls from an unknown number, including threats of murder and abduction. The alarming calls intensified on Thursday night after 9:00 pm.
Speaking to the media, Mithun said, “The threats have increased significantly since Thursday night. We have not spoken against the country, so it is unclear why such intimidation is being directed at us. As cricketers, we have only voiced our rights—does that constitute a wrongdoing?”
The threats follow a recent controversy involving BCB director M. Nazmul Islam. On Wednesday night, in response to comments made by Nazmul Islam about cricketers, the BCWA had issued an ultimatum demanding his resignation and threatened a boycott of all ongoing cricket matches if the demand was not met.
By Thursday, with the deadline passed and no resignation tendered, players went ahead and boycotted matches in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) initially held an online meeting, maintaining Nazmul Islam in his director role, but relieved him of his position as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Despite this partial concession, players refused to resume playing.
Later on Thursday evening, BCB officials convened a series of meetings—first with representatives of the BPL franchises and subsequently with the cricketers themselves. Following these discussions, an official announcement confirmed the resumption of BPL matches, ending the temporary impasse.
The events have sparked widespread concern within the cricketing community regarding player safety and administrative transparency. The BCWA has urged the authorities to investigate the threats against Mithun and ensure a secure environment for all cricketers.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event | Action/Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 2026, Night | BCWA ultimatum issued | Players demand resignation of BCB director M. Nazmul Islam; threaten match boycott |
| 16 Jan 2026, Morning | Deadline passes | No resignation submitted; players begin BPL boycott |
| 16 Jan 2026, Afternoon | BCB online meeting | Nazmul Islam retained as director; removed from Finance Committee chair |
| 16 Jan 2026, Evening | Meetings with franchises & players | Agreement reached; BPL matches to resume |
| 16 Jan 2026, Night | Threats to Mithun | Unknown caller issues threats including murder and abduction |
The episode highlights ongoing tensions between cricketers and administrative authorities, underscoring the need for improved dialogue, security measures, and mutual respect within Bangladesh’s cricketing ecosystem.