Bangladesh cricket crisis: BPL at risk as players demand public apology from BCB director to return

NEW DELHI: The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) said on Thursday that players are prepared to return to cricket if Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Najmul Islam issues a public apology and the process related to his removal from directorship of the board moves forward.

"We have informed the BCB that if he apologises publicly and the process regarding his directorship continues, we will be ready to return to cricket from Friday," CWAB said in a press release.




The players also said they had reviewed their earlier decision to boycott all forms of cricket, citing broader concerns for the game in the country.

"We are continuing discussions among ourselves regarding the ongoing complications in Bangladesh cricket. Through our discussions, we, the cricketers, have realised that our women’s national team are currently playing in the World Cup qualifiers in Nepal, the men’s national team have the T20 World Cup ahead of them, and the men’s Under-19 team are currently taking part in the World Cup. The impact of suspending all forms of cricket could affect all these teams," CWAB said.

"We also consider the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) to be extremely important. Therefore, in the greater interest of cricket, we have reconsidered our earlier decision," the statement added.

The development came hours after the BCB removed Najmul from his role as chairman of the board’s finance committee. He, however, continues as a board director, a position that can only be withdrawn through disciplinary action.

"...Following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB President has decided to release Mr. Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect," the BCB said in a statement.

"Until further notice, the BCB President will assume the role of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee. The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority."

The board also appealed to players to continue participating in the BPL.

"BCB hopes that all cricketers will continue to display the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to the betterment of Bangladesh cricket during what is a challenging period for the game...and will do their utmost to ensure continued participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)."

The dispute began after Najmul repeated Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for next month’s T20 World Cup due to what he described as "security worries," and dismissed concerns over player payments if the team withdrew from the event.

He said players would not be compensated, stating they had not earned that support after failing to win an ICC tournament. The remarks triggered strong backlash, with CWAB demanding his removal from the board.

Bangladesh have refused to tour India following the exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, a decision taken on BCCI’s instructions amid unspecified "developments all around."

The BCB remains in discussions with the ICC after the governing body showed reluctance to move Bangladesh’s four matches in India to Sri Lanka.

Najmul had earlier drawn criticism after calling former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal an "agent of India" following Tamim’s call for restraint in dealing with the situation, warning that present decisions could have long-term consequences. CWAB had condemned those comments.