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Bangladesh players have threatened to boycott all forms of cricket unless their board director M. Najmul Islam resigns following his explosive remarks on Wednesday. Najmul, who is the chairman of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) finance committee, had claimed that no player will be compensated should they withdraw from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India.
While responding to a query on potential financial implications of not taking part in the T20 World Cup, Najmul said the board won’t take a hit and it’s the players who will suffer. He argued that BCB doesn’t ask the players to return “crores and crores of taka” that it spends on them when they don’t perform, so there’s no question of compensation.
Hours after the remarks, Cricketers
Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) president Mohammad Mithun demanded Najmul’s resignation.
“The remark made by the BCB director has hurt the cricket fraternity greatly and it’s not acceptable. We demand his resignation. If he doesn’t resign before tomorrow’s match, we will announce a boycott of all cricket, starting from the BPL matches tomorrow (Thursday),” Mithun told reporters on Wednesday.
BCB has officially distanced itself from Najmul’s comments.
“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,” BCB said in a statement.
“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.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board also makes it clear 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,” it added.
Two Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches are scheduled for Thursday (January 15) and the captains of the participating teams, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Rajshahi Warriors), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Sylhet Titans), Mahedi Hasan (Chattogram Royals) and Mithun (Dhaka Capitals), have shown their support for the boycott call.
What Did Najmul Say?
While responding to a query, a furious Najmul wondered if BCB should demand players to return the money the board spends on them when they aren’t “able to do anything”.
“Why (would there be any compensation)? Are we asking them for the crores and crores of taka that we are spending on them? Answer me first. We are spending so much money on them, they are not being able to do anything in different places. Have we got any international awards? What have we done at any level? Let us now ask them for the money back after every time they couldn’t play. Give us back. Why should there even be a question of compensating the players?” he said.
