BCB issues show cause notice to director Nazmul Islam after players threaten boycott

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a show-cause notice to its director, Nazmul Islam, for his "not acceptable" remarks he made against their players on Wednesday, which led to Mohammad Mithun, the president of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), threatening a boycott.

"The board has already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the board member concerned," read the statement issued by the BCB, as reported by ESPNCricinfo. "A show cause letter has been issued, and the individual has been instructed to submit a written response within 48 hours. The matter will be dealt with through due process, and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the proceedings."

For the uninitiated, Islam made controversial comments on players after he was asked about the potential financial implications for the board should they miss out on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

"We are spending so much money on them, they are not being able to do anything in different places," said Islam. Have we got any international awards? What have we done at any level? Let us now ask them for the money back after every time they couldn't play. Give us back. Why should there even be a question of compensating the players?"

Mithun took offense at the statement and demanded the immediate resignation of the BCB director.

"The remark made by the BCB director [Najmul Islam] has hurt the cricket fraternity greatly and it's not acceptable," Mithun was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. "We demand his resignation. If he doesn't resign before tomorrow's match, we will announce a boycott of all cricket, starting from the BPL matches tomorrow (Thursday)."

BPL Match No 25 delayed due to boycott

The boycott has impacted the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), as the 25th fixture of the current edition, scheduled to be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, has been delayed indefinitely.

The controversy could also adversely affect the second game of the day, to be played between Sylhet Titans and Rajshahi Royals.