The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday stripped director M Najmul Islam of all responsibilities, including his role as chairman of the finance committee, with immediate effect, following mounting pressure from players.
The decision was taken by BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul, who said the move was made in the “best interest of the organisation” to ensure the smooth functioning of the board. Until further notice, Bulbul will serve as the acting chairman of the finance committee.
“Following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB president has decided to release Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as chairman of the finance committee with immediate effect,” the board said in a media release.
The move came a day after the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) issued an ultimatum, warning that players would boycott the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) if Najmul did not step down before the tournament’s opening match on January 14. The standoff had threatened to disrupt the season opener between Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Najmul had come under heavy criticism for a series of controversial remarks, including comments targeting former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, whom he had labelled an “Indian agent.” The remarks drew strong backlash from players and other stakeholders.
Reiterating its position, the BCB said player welfare remained its top priority. “The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. The Board remains fully committed to upholding the honour and dignity of all players under its jurisdiction,” the statement said.
The board also appealed to players to maintain professionalism during a challenging phase for Bangladesh cricket. “The BCB hopes that all cricketers will continue to display the highest standards of professionalism and dedication and ensure continued participation in the Bangladesh Premier League,” it added.
At a press conference on Wednesday, prior to Najmul’s removal, CWAB president Mohammad Mithun strongly criticised the director over his remarks, calling them deeply disrespectful.
“Everything has a limit. When that limit is crossed, it doesn’t just question me, it questions the entire cricket fraternity. Everyone has been insulted,” Mithun said. “I haven’t seen even a trace of respect for cricket in any of his statements.”
Controversial remarks spark backlash
Earlier on Wednesday, Najmul had claimed that Bangladesh players would not be compensated if the T20 World Cup were boycotted. He also suggested that the board should have the right to reclaim money from players who fail to perform.
“This question cannot even be raised. We spend so much on them, yet they go to different places and fail to deliver,” he said. “Have we won a single global title? Every time, we could say: you didn’t perform, so return the money we spent on you.”
The remarks triggered sharp reactions within the cricketing community. Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz publicly condemned the comments, saying the board generates revenue only because players represent the country and participate in tournaments. He described the remarks as inappropriate and unbecoming of a senior board official.
The developments come amid uncertainty over Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. After Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2025 squad, the BCB said the national team would not travel to India and requested that their World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka or another neutral venue.
The board has since written twice to the International Cricket Council (ICC) reiterating its position. With less than a month to go before the tournament, discussions are ongoing and a final decision is yet to be taken.