Sports Reporter
Jan 15, 2026: Bangladesh cricket entered a tense phase on Tuesday as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam remained in office despite mounting pressure from players demanding his resignation over controversial remarks.
Cricketers had set a deadline for Nazmul to step down ahead of the start of a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match, but more than 12 hours after the ultimatum expired, no resignation had been tendered. Players have reiterated that they are prepared to halt participation in all cricketing activities if their demand is ignored.
The standoff has already affected domestic competitions. The scheduled BPL match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express faced uncertainty after both teams failed to arrive at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Meanwhile, the First Division League was suspended late Monday night in response to the escalating situation.
Sources within the BCB said several board members attempted to engage with the protesting players in an effort to find a compromise.
The board reportedly suggested stripping Nazmul of his finance-related responsibilities, but the proposal was rejected. The players maintained that only his complete resignation as a director would resolve the issue.
Earlier on Tuesday, the BCB confirmed in a statement that Nazmul had been issued a show-cause notice and instructed to provide a written explanation within 48 hours. Despite this development, the players remained unsatisfied and continued to press for his removal.
Leaders of the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), along with senior national players, announced plans to address the media at a press conference in Banani later in the day to clarify their position and outline possible next steps.
The controversy stems from comments made by Nazmul following a doa and milad mahfil organised by the BCB on Monday to commemorate former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Responding to a question about whether the board would consider compensating players for potential financial losses if they opted out of the upcoming T20 World Cup, he questioned the value of the board’s financial spending on players.
He also expressed frustration over Bangladesh’s lack of international success, noting that despite significant investment, the team has yet to secure major global recognition. His remarks, which implied that the board could consider recovering money spent on underperforming players, triggered strong backlash from the cricketing community.
Players described the comments as insulting and demoralising, arguing that such statements undermine professional respect and the spirit of the game.
With competitions disrupted and talks yet to yield a breakthrough, uncertainty continues to surround Bangladesh’s domestic cricket landscape.
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