Bangladesh Cricket Board Official Sparks Controversy, Labels Former Captain Tamim Iqbal as “Indian Agent”

Dhaka: A major controversy has erupted in Bangladesh cricket after a senior official of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) labeled former captain Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian agent.” The remark, made by M. Najmul Islam, chairman of BCB’s Finance Committee, has drawn widespread criticism from players and cricketing authorities alike.

What Triggered the Controversy?
The remarks came after Tamim Iqbal, in a recent interview, stressed that cricket should take precedence before the BCB makes a final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Najmul Islam’s statement followed the BCB’s controversial decision not to send the team to India, citing security concerns.

The situation escalated after the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the upcoming IPL. Najmul Islam’s Facebook post, in which he wrote, “Once again, the people of Bangladesh have witnessed the rise of a proven Indian agent,” went viral and sparked outrage on social media.

Strong Backlash from Players and CWAB
The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has strongly condemned the statement, demanding a public apology from the BCB director and that he be held accountable. CWAB said that such remarks about Tamim, who represented Bangladesh for 16 years and is one of the country’s most successful openers, are “reprehensible” and insult the entire cricketing community.

Several current Bangladeshi cricketers, including Taskin Ahmed, Mominul Haque, and Taijul Islam, have also expressed their anger on social media. Taijul Islam described the statement as “shocking and completely unacceptable,” emphasizing that a board director publicly insulting a national player violates professional ethics, moral responsibility, and the code of conduct of the BCB.

Mominul Haque termed the remark “an affront to the country’s cricket community,” stating that a senior player was deliberately humiliated publicly, contrary to the board’s duty to show respect and uphold the sport’s integrity.

Call for Immediate Action
CWAB has demanded that BCB take swift and appropriate action against Najmul Islam. The controversy has not only put the board’s professionalism under scrutiny but has also sparked a wider debate about respect and ethics in Bangladeshi cricket.