Mustafizur Rahman Row: BCB director sacked after players boycott BPL, throws Bangladesh cricket into crisis

Dhaka: A deep crisis has erupted in Bangladesh cricket. Statements made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M. Nazmul Islam have angered the players, leading to a serious confrontation between the BCB and the Bangladeshi cricketers. 

What have the Bangladesh players demanded?

The players have demanded Nazmul's removal from his position and have boycotted cricket activities. This has left the BCB in a state of shock, and they have issued a show-cause notice to M. Nazmul Islam.

The Bangladeshi players had already warned that they would boycott all cricket activities if Nazmul Islam was not removed from his post. Now, the players have boycotted the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match on January 15 (Thursday) and gone on strike. The toss for the Noakhali Express vs Chattogram Royals match in the Bangladesh Premier League could not take place on time. Due to the nationwide boycott, neither team arrived at the ground on time.

The BPL match was scheduled to start on Thursday afternoon.

"We are standing in the middle of the ground, but we don't know what's happening. The BPL technical committee can provide better information on this," match referee Shipar Ahmed was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

Was the Dhaka Cricket League also affected?

Earlier, Dhaka Cricket League (DCL) matches also could not start due to the players' strike. On Wednesday night, the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) had warned of a player boycott, which came into effect on Thursday morning. The BCB has expressed regret over M. Nazmul Islam's statements.

"We regret the objectionable statements made by a member of the board. The BCB gives utmost importance to professional cricket and the respect of the players," the BCB said in a press release.

What will happen to Nazmul Islam?

The board stated that formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Nazmul Islam, and he has been instructed to provide a written response within 48 hours. This dispute is also having a significant impact on preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026. Players' Anger Fueled by Several Factors
Nazmul Islam's statement that players shouldn't receive compensation because they hadn't provided adequate support further exacerbated the players' grievances. The situation worsened when Bangladesh announced it would not travel to India for the T20 World Cup next month, citing security concerns.

What about the Bangladesh team’s international commitments? 

This move has increased uncertainty regarding the team's participation in international events and intensified pressure on BCB officials to find a resolution. Recently, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped Mustafizur Rahman from their team following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In retaliation, the BCB demanded that its T20 World Cup matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh is currently in discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC), but the ICC has shown reluctance to relocate Bangladesh's four T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. On the other hand, the BCB has appealed to the players to withdraw their boycott threat and allow the BPL 2026 to proceed without disruption.

What was the result of the row between Nazmul Islam and Tamim Iqbal?

Nazmul Islam's labeling of former captain Tamim Iqbal as an "Indian agent" sparked a new controversy. While Tamim appealed for restraint and understanding in the matter, Nazmul's comments further inflamed the cricket community. The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) condemned Nazmul's statement as utterly reprehensible and demanded immediate action.

This tense atmosphere between players and administrators has plunged Bangladesh cricket into a deep crisis. It remains to be seen in the coming days what disciplinary action the BCB will take and whether the players will stand by their threat.