Bangladesh Cricketers Threaten Nationwide Boycott After BCB Director’s Explosive Remarks

Bangladesh cricket has been thrown into a severe internal crisis after players threatened to boycott all domestic and international formats unless Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M. Najmul Islam steps down.

The dramatic escalation came on Wednesday when Najmul, chairman of the board's finance committee, made controversial remarks suggesting that players would not receive any compensation if they opt out of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India.

Responding to a question on potential financial fallout should Bangladesh skip the World Cup, Najmul insisted the board would not suffer. According to him, players would be the ones to face the consequences. He went a step further and questioned whether players deserved financial protection

at all, given their inconsistent results.

"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.

The remarks sparked immediate outrage. Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) president Mohammad Mithun condemned the comments and 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.

The tension has heightened ahead of two Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches scheduled for Thursday (January 15). Captains of the participating teams - Najmul Hossain Shanto (Rajshahi Warriors), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Sylhet Titans), Mahedi Hasan (Chattogram Royals) and Mithun (Dhaka Capitals) - have publicly backed the boycott call, signaling unified player resistance.

In an attempt to contain the backlash, the BCB issued a formal statement distancing itself from Najmul's remarks. "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," it said.

The board further clarified that only formally issued statements through its designated spokesperson or media department should be considered official. It also warned of disciplinary action against anyone whose comments bring disrepute to Bangladesh cricket.

With players standing firm and the BPL already under threat, Bangladesh cricket faces one of its most turbulent moments in recent years, and all eyes are now on whether the BCB director at the center of the storm chooses to step aside.