DHAKA
\nBangladesh\u2019s cricketers boycotted all forms of cricket unless Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam resigns, following his controversial remarks against former national captain Tamim Iqbal. The announcement was made by Mohammad Mithun, president of the Cricketers\u2019 Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), hours after Nazmul Islam\u2019s comments sparked widespread outrage on Wednesday.
\nThe development comes with two Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches scheduled to be played today (Thursday), with Mithun saying Nazmul should resign before the fixtures or the players would not take the field. Mithun said the remarks were against the players\u2019 dignity, professionalism and respect.On Thursday, the boycott impacted domestic cricket, with matches in the Dhaka Cricket League not beginning as the player boycott threatened by the CWAB last evening came into effect.
\nThe first BPL match on Thursday, between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, was also delayed after both teams did not arrive at the venue for the toss, which was scheduled for 12.30pm local time. The match was supposed to begin at 1pm local time.In response to the controversy, the Bangladesh Cricket Board distanced itself from Islam\u2019s comments, expressing regret in an official statement.
\n\u201cThe Board expresses its sincere regret for remarks that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful,\u201d the statement read. \u201cSuch comments do not reflect the values, principles, or official position of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, nor do they align with the standards of conduct expected from individuals entrusted with the responsibility of serving Bangladesh cricket.\u201dThe BCB further clarified that it does not endorse statements made by board officials unless issued through authorised channels.
\n\u201cThe BCB reiterates that it does not endorse or take responsibility for any statement made by any director or board member unless formally issued through the Board\u2019s designated spokesperson or the Media & Communications Department. Any statements made outside these authorised channels are personal in nature and should not be interpreted as representing the views or policies of the Board,\u201d it added.
\nThe board also warned of disciplinary action, stating it would act against any individual whose conduct disrespects cricketers or harms the integrity of Bangladesh cricket.
\nThe statement reaffirmed full support for all players, past and present, emphasising that cricketers remain at the heart of the sport in the country.
\nNazmul Islam came under heavy criticism after accusing Tamim Iqbal of being an \u201cIndian agent\u201d in a Facebook post. The Cricketers\u2019 Welfare Association of Bangladesh strongly condemned the remarks, calling them \u201cutterly unacceptable\u201d and demanding a public apology from the BCB director.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DHAKA Bangladesh\u2019s cricketers boycotted all forms of cricket unless Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam resigns, following his controversial remarks against former national captain Tamim Iqbal. The announcement was made by Mohammad Mithun, president of the Cricketers\u2019 Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), hours after Nazmul Islam\u2019s comments sparked widespread outrage on Wednesday. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":525920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-525889","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n