Bangladesh Cricket Board Reinstates Controversial Director Nazmul Islam, Sparking Player Outrage

Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing renewed controversy after reinstating M. Nazmul Islam as Finance Committee Chairman, weeks after he was removed following protests from national players.

Nazmul Islam had previously sparked uproar by referring to several current and former Bangladesh cricketers as “India agents” during the debate over Bangladesh’s refusal to play T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India. His remarks came in the wake of the ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh from the tournament and replace them with Scotland, which many players had criticized. The Bangladesh Cricket Players Association (CWAB) had subsequently called a strike, disrupting matches in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL 2025).

Reinstatement After ICC Decision
Reports indicate that the ICC formally confirmed Bangladesh’s exclusion from the World Cup on Saturday. Within hours, the BCB reversed its earlier decision to remove Nazmul Islam, reinstating him as Finance Committee Chief. The move has raised concerns among players, who see the reinstatement as a betrayal.

Controversial Statements Targeting Players
During the T20 World Cup venue dispute, Nazmul Islam publicly criticized several players, including former captain Tamim Iqbal, labeling them “India agents” for questioning the board’s handling of the situation. He also claimed that players would not be entitled to any compensation if Bangladesh were removed from the tournament and suggested that the board could recover money from players for underperformance.

Board and Player Backlash
Nazmul’s statements triggered strong reactions. The CWAB, led by Mohammad Mithun, along with cricketers like Shanto, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and others, called a strike, halting BPL matches. The BCB initially condemned Nazmul’s remarks, removed him from his post, and issued a “show-cause” notice.

Reinstatement Controversy
According to Bangladeshi media, Nazmul responded satisfactorily to the show-cause notice, prompting the BCB to reinstate him. The move has left players dissatisfied, though no official reaction has been reported yet. The reinstatement is expected to further intensify tensions between the board and national cricketers.