Bangladesh Cricketers End Strike; Najmul Islam Removed After Controversial Remarks on Tamim Iqbal

Bangladesh cricket witnessed a major upheaval this week as players went on strike during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26, but the standoff has now ended. After a day-long protest, the players resumed matches from Friday following the resignation and apology of a controversial board official.

Strike Ends After Board Intervention

Players had initially refused to take the field after Najmul Islam, a BCB director, referred to former captain Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian agent”. Islam also warned players that they would receive no payment if they skipped the T20 World Cup, further aggravating tensions.

The crisis was resolved late Thursday night after a meeting between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Cricket Players Welfare Association (CWAB). Players agreed to return to play after Najmul Islam was removed from his position as Chairman of the BCB Finance Committee and issued a public apology.

Controversial Remarks That Sparked the Crisis

The turmoil began earlier this week when Najmul Islam made inflammatory remarks, accusing Tamim Iqbal of having conflicting loyalties. This stemmed from Tamim suggesting that both cricket boards should discuss the T20 World Cup venues following the release of Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026 by Kolkata Knight Riders under BCCI directives.

Najmul Islam further escalated tensions by threatening that players who skipped the T20 World Cup would not be compensated and citing the team’s failure to win major trophies. Players condemned these statements, announced a boycott of all formats, and demanded Islam’s removal. This protest led to the postponement of the BPL match between Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Board Responds

Facing growing pressure, the BCB announced Najmul Islam’s immediate removal from the finance committee on Thursday to maintain smooth board operations. Aminul Islam has been appointed as the interim chairman of the committee.

With the issue resolved, Bangladesh’s BPL matches resumed, and players have returned to the field, ending one of the most high-profile disputes in recent Bangladesh cricket history.