The Bangladesh Cricket Board has ruled former left-arm seamer and women’s team selector Manjurul Islam out of every activity it controls, at home or abroad. The move follows an independent investigation that decided parts of his behaviour “fell within the definition of misconduct and harassment”.
The inquiry stemmed from a formal complaint lodged by former women’s captain Jahanara Alam, who said Manjurul asked her lewd questions during the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup, when he doubled as chief selector and team manager. In the same interview, she also hinted at inappropriate conduct from two other board officials.
To deal with the claims, the board put together a five-person panel headed by Justice Tariq Ul Hakim. Barrister Muhammed Mustafizur Rahman Khan, barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla, Dr Naima Huq and BCB director Rubaba Dowla completed the committee. Their findings were signed off on 31 January and landed on BCB president Aminul Islam’s desk two days later.
After Sunday’s directors’ meeting, the board released a brief but pointed statement:
“Based on the findings of the Independent Inquiry Committee formed by the BCB to examine the complaint lodged by former Bangladesh women’s national team captain Jahanara Alam, the board has decided to impose a ban on former national cricketer Monjurul Islam from all forms of direct or indirect employment and/or cricket-related activities under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The BCB is reviewing the recommendations of the Committee and will take any additional measures deemed necessary in light of the report.”
That means Manjurul, currently coaching the China women’s national side, cannot take up any role that requires BCB approval—whether that is domestic coaching, talent scouting or commentary work inside Bangladesh. The board added that the document’s wider recommendations are still under consideration, so further action is possible.
It has been a slow, occasionally messy, process. The inquiry was first announced on 7 November last year; its deadline was twice extended to give the panel more time to sift through statements, emails and WhatsApp messages. According to a follow-up release on 4 February, the committee “examined four specific allegations made by Jahanara Alam”. The same note explained that “two of these allegations were not substantiated by the available evidence”, while the other two produced “prima facie evidence of inappropriate conduct”.
For the immediate future the focus shifts back to the players. Jahanara—135 caps and counting—has stayed silent since the ban became public, though those close to her say the verdict brings a measure of relief. Team-mates, meanwhile, hope the decision draws a line under a story that has dominated off-field conversation for much of the past year.
There is also a gentle reminder here for anyone holding power inside the game: roles change, but standards of behaviour do not.
