Nazmul has not resigned yet; cricketers remain steadfast on playing

Tensions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and its national players escalated yesterday as director M. Nazmul Islam has yet to tender his resignation, despite a 12-hour ultimatum from the players. The standoff stems from controversial remarks made by Nazmul regarding the cricketers, which have sparked widespread criticism.

According to sources, players have set a strict deadline for Nazmul to resign before the start of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match at 1:00 PM today. Should he fail to step down, the players are reportedly prepared to halt all cricketing activities. This has already caused uncertainty at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, where teams Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express have yet to arrive for the scheduled afternoon fixture.

Attempts by several BCB directors to engage the players have so far been unsuccessful. Reports indicate that the board offered to relieve Nazmul of his responsibilities in the Finance Department, but this has not defused the situation. At 11:30 AM, the BCB issued a formal notice asking him to respond in writing within 48 hours. However, the players remain steadfast in demanding his resignation from the director’s post.

A press conference, led by senior members of the players’ association (QuAB), is scheduled at Banani at 1:00 PM today, signalling a continued firm stance. The disruption follows the postponement of the first-division league late last night, triggered by the players’ ultimatum.

The controversy erupted after Nazmul made contentious remarks during a prayer and milad ceremony held in memory of the late three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Responding to questions about whether the BCB would compensate players financially if they opted out of the T20 World Cup, he reportedly said:

“If they go and achieve nothing, should we ask for back the hundreds of crores we have spent on them?”

Further comments questioned the players’ contributions on the global stage, suggesting that the board could recover costs if players underperform. These statements have been widely criticised as insensitive, deepening the rift between management and the national squad.

Current Situation Table:

The standoff has thrown Bangladesh cricket into an unprecedented crisis, raising questions about governance, player relations, and the board’s management approach ahead of the crucial BPL season.