Cricketers adamant on Nazmul's resignation, none went to the field

Bangladesh's national cricketers have taken a strong stand against BCB Director M Nazmul Islam, demanding his immediate resignation due to repeated defamatory and disrespectful remarks about players.

In a video conference held on Wednesday night, Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) President Mohammad Mithun issued a clear ultimatum: Nazmul Islam must resign from his position on the board, or the players will boycott the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and all other cricket activities.

As per the BPL schedule, two matches were set for Thursday (January 15, 2026) in Dhaka—one at 1:00 pm and another at 6:00 pm. However, players from the involved teams refused to leave their hotel and head to the field, staying put in protest. This has created significant uncertainty and potential disruption for today's games, with captains such as Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, and others reportedly showing solidarity with the boycott call.

The protest issue came from Nazmul Islam's recent media comments criticising national cricketers' performance and remuneration.

He argued that the board spends crores on players without deducting fees for poor performances, so there should be no compensation if the team skips events like the T20 World Cup 2026.

He reportedly said something along the lines of: "If they [cricketers] cannot do anything while playing, we are spending so many crores—do we ask for a refund?" He also used an analogy comparing cricketers to "hands" that are useless without the "body" (the board).

Mithun condemned these statements as unacceptable and hurtful to the entire cricketing community, noting that such language had previously targeted individuals like former captain Tamim Iqbal and now extended to all players.

In response to the backlash, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a press release distancing itself from Nazmul's remarks, describing them as personal opinions.

The board expressed regret, stating that such comments go against the spirit of cricket and do not represent official views. It emphasised that no spokesperson was authorised to make them and promised appropriate action.

The standoff highlights deep tensions between players and certain board officials amid broader issues, including uncertainties over Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The players remain firm, refusing to play until their demand is met.