Bangladesh cricket faced turmoil on Thursday as players boycotted the first Bangladesh Premier League match. They demanded BCB Director Najmul Islam resign. The action followed controversial remarks against national cricketers that sparked outrage nationwide.
The boycott delayed the opening game between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. Players refused to appear for the toss. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh called for a nationwide cricket boycott until Islam resigns.
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The controversy began after Najmul Islam, the BCB finance committee chairman, said players should return “crores and crores of taka” spent on them. He also argued the board owes no compensation if Bangladesh misses the T20 World Cup. His remarks drew sharp criticism from players and fans alike.
The BCB quickly distanced itself from Islam’s comments and issued a statement expressing regret. The board promised disciplinary action against anyone harming Bangladesh cricket’s reputation or showing disrespect toward players. Meanwhile, CWAB president Mohammad Mithun insisted the boycott would continue until proper accountability.
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Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, is ninth in ICC T20 rankings and has never reached semi-finals in nine editions. The standoff adds pressure ahead of their upcoming World Cup matches, raising tensions with the ICC over travel to India.