The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has quietly returned director Nazmul Islam to the chair of its finance committee, just 11 days after telling players he would be removed. Board officials confirmed the decision on Monday, bringing to an apparent close a dispute that had triggered a one-day players’ boycott of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and other domestic fixtures.
Explaining the U-turn, disciplinary-committee chief Faiazur Rahman said: “Nazmul replied to the showcause notice, to which we gave a positive report, as his explanation was satisfactory. When this report was presented in the board meeting, it was decided to reinstate him as the chairman of the finance committee.”
Senior vice-president Shakhawat Hossain told Dhaka daily Samakal: “The president reinstated Najmul using his power. Because no one wants to take the responsibility of the finance committee. Apart from that, Najmul is an honest person. The president took the decision after considering all aspects.”
Players had reacted strongly to Islam’s remarks on 14 January, which they felt belittled their contribution to the game. The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), led by batter Mohammad Mithun, urged professionals to down tools across all formats. The following day saw first-division league games and BPL matches, Bangladesh’s franchise Twenty20 competition, fall silent.
That show of unity forced the board to ask Islam to quit the finance role and, crucially, to assure the squad he would be removed altogether. By evening the cricketers were back on the park, yet Islam was soon spotted in the president’s box during BPL ties, a sign the issue was far from settled.
Board turbulence has not ended there. Audit-committee head Mokhlesur Rahman resigned this week amid allegations linked to BPL corruption, while fellow director Ishtiaque Sadeque stepped down citing personal reasons. For the moment, however, the sensitive finance brief is again in Islam’s hands, and the players have returned to work—though not without lingering questions over how the board honours its promises.
