Bangladesh cricket was thrown into uncertainty on Thursday after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a show-cause notice to its director, M Nazmul Islam, over objectionable public comments, even as players announced a nationwide boycott of cricket activities.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board issued a show-cause notice to its director M Nazmul Islam on Wednesday, citing his “objectionable comments” made publicly against Bangladesh’s cricketers.
The notice was issued just hours before the scheduled start of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches for the day, intensifying tensions between players and the board.
Players call nationwide boycott
Despite the BCB’s disciplinary move, the cricketers’ body Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) called for a nationwide boycott of all forms of cricket unless Nazmul Islam resigns from his position.
As a result, the four Dhaka Cricket League first-division matches scheduled for Thursday morning did not begin, triggering serious concern within the board.
According to ESPNcricinfo, players from Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, who were due to feature in the first BPL match on Thursday, are adhering to the boycott.
The toss for the opening BPL match was scheduled for 12:30pm local time, raising doubts over whether the match would proceed as planned.
BCB outlines disciplinary process
In an official statement, the BCB confirmed that formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the director.
“The board has already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the board member concerned,” the statement said, adding that a written response has been sought within 48 hours and action will be taken following due process.
Media reported that several BCB directors contacted CWAB president Mohammad Mithun late on Wednesday night, offering to remove Nazmul Islam from his role as chairman of the finance committee.
However, Mithun said the players’ boycott would remain in place, reiterating that resignation -- not reassignment -- was their core demand.
CWAB leaders are expected to hold a press conference once the scheduled start time of the first BPL match passes. During the briefing, they are set to formally present their demands to the BCB, including the immediate resignation of the director at the center of the controversy.
