Bangladesh Cricket Board Imposes Lifetime Ban on Former Player Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Dhaka: In a landmark and stringent decision, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday imposed a lifetime ban on former national cricketer and ex-women’s team manager Manzurul Islam. The move comes following allegations of sexual harassment made by former women’s captain Jahanara Alam.

Allegations Lead to Strict Action

Jahanara Alam had accused Manzurul Islam of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment during the 2022 Women’s World Cup. An independent inquiry committee appointed by the BCB conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. The committee’s report concluded that Manzurul Islam’s conduct was not only against professional standards but also fell under the category of sexual harassment. Based on these findings, the BCB has barred him from participating in any cricket-related activities, direct or indirect, in the future.

Women’s BPL to Launch in April

In a major boost for women’s cricket in Bangladesh, the BCB announced the inaugural Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL), set to take place from April 4 to April 14, 2026. This tournament is being hailed as a revolutionary step to strengthen the country’s women’s cricket framework.

Selection Committee Changes and Extension of Gazi Ashraf’s Term

The BCB also made changes to its national selection panel. While chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain had declined to extend his tenure, the board decided to keep him in the role for an additional month until a new successor is appointed and the panel is reorganized. Reports indicate that former national selector Habibul Bashar is the frontrunner to take over the position.