Bangladesh Cricket Board sack director M Najmul Islam after players boycott BPL

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday removed director M Najmul Islam from all responsibilities, including his role as chairman of the finance committee, with immediate effect, following mounting pressure from the country’s cricketers. The decision was taken by BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul in what the board described as the “best interest of the organisation” to ensure the smooth functioning of its affairs.

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Until further notice, the BCB president will assume the role of 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," a media release by BCB informed.

The move came a day after the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) issued a strong ultimatum, warning that players would boycott the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) if Najmul did not step down before the opening match on January 14. With the tournament opener between Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the standoff had threatened to derail the BPL.

The decision also follows widespread criticism of Najmul over controversial public remarks he made about former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, whom he had labelled an “Indian agent,” triggering strong backlash from players and stakeholders.

"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."

"In this regard, the 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 statement added.

At a press conference on Wednesday, before Najmul was sacked, CWAB president Mohammad Mithun strongly criticised Islam over his remarks, calling them disrespectful.

"Everything has a limit. When that limit is crossed, it not only questions me but the entire cricket fraternity. Everyone has been insulted. He has disregarded every sector, starting from winning the ICC trophy – if I may say so – from then until now. The World Cup means nothing to him. I haven't seen even a trace of respect for cricket in any of his statements," Mithun said.

NAJMUL MAKES CONTROVERSIAL REMARK

Earlier, while speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Islam claimed that Bangladesh players would not be compensated if the T20 World Cup were eventually boycotted. On the issue of compensation, he went a step further by suggesting that if players demanded financial remuneration, the board should also have the right to reclaim money when players fail to perform on the field.

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“This question cannot even be raised. We spend so much on them, yet they go to different places and fail to deliver. Have we won even a single global title to date? Every time, we could say: you didn’t perform, so return the money we spent on you,” Islam had said.

MEHIDY SLAMS NAJMUL

The remarks drew sharp criticism from within the cricketing fraternity, with Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz strongly condemning Najmul’s comments. Mehidy said the board earns its revenue only because the players participate in tournaments and represent the country. He described the remarks as inappropriate and unbecoming of someone holding a responsible position at the board.

The developments come amid uncertainty over Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. After Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from KKR’s IPL 2025 squad, the BCB said the team would not travel to India and requested that their World Cup matches be moved to Sri Lanka or another neutral venue. The board has since written twice to the ICC reiterating its stance, with talks ongoing and a final decision still pending less than a month before the tournament.

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