The first match of the Bangladesh Premier League on Thursday (January 15) has been delayed due to players protests.
The match between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express hasn't started yet, as players of both teams didn't arrive at the venue for the BPL match on the day.
The players have been demanding the resignation of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam over his controversial remarks on player compensation and performance. Four matches of the Dhaka Premier League were also cancelled earlier in the day.
Background of the Controversy
The boycott originated from statements made by Nazmul Islam on Wednesday, during discussions related to Bangladesh's potential withdrawal from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. As chairman of the BCB's finance committee, he addressed
concerns about compensating players if the team skips the tournament.
He stated, "Why? If they (the cricketers) can't do anything and play poorly, then we have spent so many crores of taka on them, do we want them to return that money?"
"Give us back. Why should there even be a question of compensating the players?" he added. Nazmul also referred to former captain Tamim Iqbal as an "Indian agent" for opposing the withdrawal.
Players' Response and Ultimatum
The Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) condemned the remarks as insulting and demeaning. CWAB president Mohammad Mithun issued an ultimatum on Wednesday evening, declaring that players would abstain from all cricket activities unless Nazmul resigned before Thursday's BPL matches.
"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). "He further noted that the comments had "deeply hurt the country's cricketing community," Mithun said.
Several team captains, including Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mahedi Hasan, along with others, expressed solidarity with the action.
BCB's Actions and Ongoing Standoff
The BCB issued a show-cause notice to Nazmul Islam on Thursday, requiring him to explain his comments within 48 hours. The board distanced itself from the remarks, describing them as objectionable, and initiated disciplinary proceedings. The BCB also appealed to players to retract the boycott, emphasizing their importance.
"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," a statement said.
Despite meetings between BCB officials and CWAB representatives, no resolution was reached. The CWAB remained firm on its demand for Nazmul's resignation. The standoff has raised concerns about the continuation of the BPL, which is in its final phase and holds significant popularity in Bangladesh.
It could also affect preparations for future international commitments. As of the latest updates, negotiations continue, but the BPL schedule remains uncertain pending a resolution.
