Bangladesh Cricketers End Boycott After BCB Sacks Director, But Demand for Public Apology Lingers
Dhaka, January 16, 2026 – Bangladesh’s national cricketers have called off their boycott of domestic matches following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision to remove director M Nazmul Islam from his role as finance committee chairman, but tensions remain as players insist on a public apology for his disparaging remarks. The standoff, which halted Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) games and Dhaka Cricket League matches, stemmed from Islam’s comments mocking players as “poor investments” and suggesting they “return the money” amid disputes over the T20 World Cup relocation from India and pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exclusion.
The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), led by Mohammad Mithun, announced the end of the protest after late-night talks with BCB president Aminul Islam, allowing the BPL to resume on Friday. However, the players’ statement emphasized that while they welcome Islam’s removal from the finance role, they demand his full resignation from the board and a public apology, rejecting his offer for a private one. “The remark made by the BCB director has hurt the cricket fraternity greatly and it’s not acceptable,” Mithun stated earlier.
The crisis escalated when Islam criticized players’ performance and payments, including labeling former captain Tamim Iqbal an “agent of India” for urging caution on the World Cup issue. BCB reiterated that cricketers’ interests are its priority and appealed for professionalism during this challenging period. With the T20 World Cup looming, the resolution averts further disruption, but unresolved demands could reignite conflicts.