Bangladesh Players Threaten BPL Boycott After BCB Director’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Remarks

The Bangladesh cricket landscape has been thrust into a state of unprecedented turmoil. On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the country’s professional cricketers issued a stern ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): either Finance Committee Chairman M. Nazmul Islam resigns by Thursday afternoon, or all cricketing activities—including the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)—will be boycotted.

This revolt, led by the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), follows a series of inflammatory remarks by Islam that players claim have “undermined their dignity” and “hurt the entire cricket community.”

The Controversy: From “Indian Agent” to Financial Threats

The friction began when former captain Tamim Iqbal suggested that the BCB should engage in dialogue with the ICC and BCCI regarding the T20 World Cup 2026 venue row. Bangladesh has expressed reluctance to travel to India for the tournament (starting February 7) due to security concerns and diplomatic tensions.+1

In response to Tamim’s call for diplomacy, M. Nazmul Islam reportedly labeled the legendary opener an “Indian agent” in a now-deleted social media post. The situation escalated on Wednesday when Islam told reporters:+1

No Loss for Board: He claimed the BCB would suffer “no profit or loss” if the team withdrew from the T20 World Cup.
Financial Penalty for Players: He suggested that only the players would suffer financially and even questioned if the board should ask players to “return the money” spent on them due to their lack of international trophies.

Players Unite: The Resignation Ultimatum

The response from the players was swift and unanimous. Mohammad Mithun, president of the CWAB, held an emergency press conference on Wednesday night, stating that the players would refuse to take the field for the BPL matches scheduled for Thursday, January 15, unless Islam steps down.

“The words that the board director has used about the players are completely unacceptable. It has deeply hurt the entire body of cricketers,” Mithun stated.

Current stars, including Taskin Ahmed, Mominul Haque, and Taijul Islam, have publicly voiced their support for Tamim, condemning the “distasteful” and “unprofessional” behavior of the board official.

BCB Distances Itself; Promises Disciplinary Action

Late Wednesday evening, the BCB issued an official statement attempting to douse the fire. The board expressed “sincere regret” for the remarks, clarifying that Islam’s comments were “personal in nature” and do not reflect the values or official position of the BCB.+1

The board further promised:

Disciplinary Action: An investigation will be launched into the conduct of the director.
Player Support: The BCB reaffirmed that players remain at the “heart of Bangladesh cricket” and their welfare is a top priority.
Official Channels Only: The board warned that no individual director is authorized to speak for the BCB unless through designated media channels.

Disha Rojhe