- By Vishal Pushkar
- Thu, 15 Jan 2026 01:24 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was forced to distance itself from the 'hateful' comment made by its director, M Nazmul Islam, in which he referred to former national team captain Tamim Iqbal as an 'Indian agent' in one of his social media posts. The board put out a statement on Wednesday, stating that the comments expressed in personal capacity do not mark the official stance of the board. The Board has also stated that disciplinary action will be taken for harming the reputation of players (former or current) or Bangladesh Cricket in general.
Earlier, the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) put out a statement demanding the resignation of Islam after his statement regarding senior players, including the likes of Tamim Iqbal, went viral. The statement was met with a huge pushback from Cricketers as it forced BCB to issue a statement.
"The Board expresses its sincere regret for remarks that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful. Such 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," the release stated.
"The BCB reiterates that it does not endorse or take responsibility for any statement or remark made by any director or Board member unless issued formally through the Board's 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," it added.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board also assured that it will take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual whose conduct or comments show disrespect towards cricketers or cause harm to the reputation and integrity of Bangladesh cricket.
"The Board unequivocally reaffirms its full support for and respect towards all cricketers, past and present, who have represented the country with dedication and pride. Players remain at the heart of Bangladesh cricket, and their contributions and welfare continue to be a top priority. The BCB remains committed to protecting the interests, dignity, and well-being of its players and to upholding professionalism, accountability, and mutual respect across all levels of the game," as per the release.
What did Tamim Iqbal say?
It is worth noting that Tamim called for a dialogue between the two boards (BCCI and BCB) to resolve the issue of releasing Bangladesh player Mustafizur Rahman from the KKR (IPL franchise) squad due to political tensions.
Tamim also stated that the board should act with the country's cricketing interests and future at the forefront. Tamim made this statement on the sidelines of the trophy-unveiling ceremony of the Zia Inter-University Cricket Tournament at the City Club ground on January 9.
"Since I am not involved [with the BCB], like any other regular person, I am finding things out through the media. But I am sure those dealing with these matters have a lot more information. So in that regard, I should not suddenly be making comments. What I am saying, however, is that Bangladesh cricket's interest, future and everything else must be considered before making such a decision. There is nothing better than if something can be resolved through dialogue," Tamim had earlier said as per The Daily Star.
Tamim Iqbal said that sensitive issues should be discussed internally within the board before any public comments, as statements can be hard to retract. He again emphasised that Bangladesh cricket's future takes priority, and since most funding comes from the ICC, decisions should focus on what benefits the sport in the country.
"What I feel, and I think I would have done the same if I were there, is that since this is a sensitive issue, before making public comments, we would discuss the matter ourselves [within the board]. Because when you make a public comment, right or wrong, it becomes difficult to step back from that position. Bangladesh cricket's future comes before everything else, and 90 to 95 per cent of the finances come from the ICC, so decisions have to be made based on what will help Bangladesh cricket," Tamim added.
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Tamim Iqbal Finds Support From Teammates
The BCB Director's remark had angered cricket fans nationwide, and several of Tamim's teammates had also expressed outrage.
Standing by Tamim, players including Mominul Haque, Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam had posted statements on social media one after another, protesting the director's comment.
Players Threaten BPL Boycott
Reportedly, the players have also threatened to boycott all cricket unless Islam resigns. BCB said it would deal with Najmul but urged the players not to boycott cricket.
"The matter will be dealt with through due process, and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the proceedings. The BCB firmly believes that the players are the main stakeholders and the lifeblood of the BPL and of all cricketing activities under the Board.
"The Board sincerely hopes that the cricketers will continue to demonstrate their professionalism and commitment by supporting the successful completion of the tournament and ensuring the smooth continuity of the BPL 2026," it added.
Inputs from Agency