Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Amidst growing uncertainty over Bangladesh cricket team participating in the coming T20 World Cup in India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Thursday was forced to remove M Nazmul Islam, who has been making controversial remarks recently, in the face of players’ threat to boycott all domestic matches.
The BCB confirmed the decision in an official statement following widespread criticism over his public comments about former captain Tamim Iqbal, whom he had labelled an “Indian agent.” The board reached the decision during an emergency online meeting, triggered by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh’s (CWAB) call for a nationwide boycott of all domestic matches.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB President has decided to release Mr Nazmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect,” the BCB said in a statement.
“The decision has been taken in accordance with the authority vested in the BCB President under Article 31 of the BCB Constitution and is aimed at ensuring the continued smooth and effective functioning of the Board’s affairs. Until further notice, the BCB President will assume the role of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee.
“The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. The Board remains fully committed to upholding the honour and dignity of all players under its jurisdiction.”
Besides calling Tamim an India agent because the former skipper had cautioned against taking a hardline over boycotting T20 World Cup over security issue, the immediate provocation for the players to protest against the official was Nazmul’s statement on Wednesday that the Bangladesh Board would not lose much if its cricket team did not play the T20 World Cup.
“The board has no profit or loss here,” Nazmul Islam had told reporters on Wednesday. “Whether Bangladesh plays here or not, there is no profit or loss for the board – at least for this World Cup.” Islam made an even more controversial remark when asked if Bangladesh players would receive reimbursement or not. Nazmul Islam ruled out any such step.
“Why [should we compensate?],” Nazmul asked in a furious tone. “If they go somewhere and cannot do anything, then the crores of Taka we spend behind them, do we ask for that money back from them? Do we? Answer me,” he said.
“Now think of it this way, if the board itself does not exist, will the players exist? Answer me that. You are thinking from only one side. I have a body and two hands. I do many things with my hands. If I do not have hands, my body cannot function properly. If I do not have a body, my hands cannot exist. They are part and parcel of each other. You cannot think of one without the other. They are complementary, not against each other.”
Following that, Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) demanded Nazmul’s removal from his post. The Bangladesh players also boycotted a Bangladesh Premier League match.
Bangladesh are refusing to tour India, citing security concerns after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL on BCCI’s instructions for unspecified “developments all around.” The BCB is still in talks with the ICC to figure a way out after the world body showed reluctance to shift Bangladesh’s four games in India to Sri Lanka.
Nazmul had earlier described former captain Tamim Iqbal as an “agent of India” after he called for a restrained handling of the standoff with India, warning that decisions taken today would have impact 10 years down the line. Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has also urged for a pragmatic approach and also revealed that the players were under immense stress due to the current circumstances.
Bangladesh cricketer Mehidy Hasan Miraz on Thursday spoke strongly against remarks from Mr Islam saying the comments have left the dressing room “deeply disappointed,” and have fuelled a damaging public narrative about how Bangladesh cricketers were paid.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Miraz responded to the latest flashpoint involving BCB director and finance committee chair M Nazmul Islam, whose recent comments – including a controversial “Indian agent” jibe at Tamim Iqbal and assertions that players would take the financial hit of Bangladesh don’t play the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, have triggered sharp backlash from representatives.
“We always say the board is our guardian. When comments like these come from them, it is deeply disappointing for us,” Miraz said. Miraz also pushed back at a familiar accusation that resurfaces whenever results dip: that cricketers live off taxpayers’ money. “That’s not how it works at all,” he explained.
“The money the board has today is the result of every match played wearing the Bangladesh jersey. It’s earned through the hard work of players. Everyone has a rightful share in it,” Miraz said.
In Miraz’s framing, the issue isn’t just about a single comment, but about basic economics and respect. He underlined that the board’s financial strength was tied to cricket continuing to be played, and to players performing in a way that keeps the sport commercially viable.
“We play ICC tournaments and that’s why we are earning money. If cricket doesn’t happen, sponsors won’t come. ICC revenue won’t come either. The board stands where it does today because players go out and play,” he added.
The row has also spilled into the players’ association arena. The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) had publicly demanded Nazmul’s resignation and warned of a boycott if the standoff continues, raising the stakes ahead of key fixtures.
The timing matters. Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup campaign is already clouded by uncertainty over venues and travel, with safety concerns and administrative back-and-forth keeping the squad in the headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with batting orders or bowling plans. In that climate, Miraz suggested, words from officials carry extra weight – and can quickly spill into a wider sporting embarrassment.
“This isn’t just a personal issue. It’s embarrassing for the entire sports arena. I don’t know whether those comments were made knowingly or unknowingly, but from someone in that position, such remarks are simply unacceptable,” he said.
Miraz accepted that criticism comes with the job, but argued that accountability should not be one-way. “If we don’t perform, we will be criticised. There isn’t a single cricketer who hasn’t faced criticism after poor performance,” he said.
He ended by rejecting another misconception in the public debate. “No, we earn our money by playing cricket,” Miraz stated plainly.
Removal of Nazmul Islam was the first decisive action taken by the BCB to defuse the growing crisis. The decision marks the most concrete response yet from the BCB after days of unrest that threatened to paralyse domestic cricket and disrupt the Bangladesh Premier League.
While the BCB has not clarified whether Nazmul will continue to serve as a director in another capacity, the decision to strip him of financial oversight is being viewed as an attempt to restore calm and reopen dialogue with the players. Attention now turns to whether the cricketers will lift their protest and return to competition, as Bangladesh cricket seeks to steady itself during an increasingly volatile period both on and off the field.