BCB to Form Committee to Investigate Jahanara’s Harassment Allegations

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to form a committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by former Bangladesh women’s cricket team captain Jahanara Alam. The country’s governing body for cricket confirmed the move in an official press release on Thursday.

The statement read:

“The BCB has taken serious note of the allegations made in the media by a former member of the Bangladesh national women’s cricket team. Considering the sensitivity of the matter, it has been decided to form a committee to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.”

According to the board, the committee will submit its investigation report and recommendations within 15 working days.

Background to the Allegations

In a recent interview published on social media, Jahanara alleged that during the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, several members of the national team management made inappropriate advances towards her.

She specifically accused former women’s team manager, selector, and ex-pacer Manjurul Islam of deliberately sabotaging her position in the national team after she rejected his advances.

Currently residing in Australia, Jahanara further claimed that the late Towhid Mahmood and BCB official Sarfaraz Babu also made similar propositions.

According to her, she reported the incidents to Women’s Wing Chairperson Nadel Chowdhury and submitted a written complaint to BCB Chief Executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury.

Responses from the Accused

Manjurul Islam, however, dismissed the allegations in a statement to international cricket outlet Cricbuzz, saying:

“These accusations are completely baseless. Other players can vouch for my character.”

Sarfaraz Babu also rejected the claims, stating:

“It is unfortunate to drag a deceased person into this. She should speak with evidence, not make unfounded allegations.”

BCB’s Official Position

In its statement, the BCB assured that appropriate action would be taken if the allegations are proven true following the investigation. The board added:

“The BCB is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all players and officials. We take such allegations very seriously and will act accordingly based on the findings of the inquiry.”

Previously, Jahanara had accused the current women’s team captain and coaches of misconduct in an interview with a local daily. At that time, the BCB dismissed those allegations as “baseless, fabricated, and entirely false.”

However, following her latest set of claims, the board has now formally decided to form an investigation committee to look into the matter in depth.

KHABORAWALA/SJ