BCB director in hot water after calling Tamim Iqbal an 'Indian agent'

Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) finance committee chairman M Najmul Islam has come under heavy criticism after terming former national captain Tamim Iqbal an “Indian agent” in a social media post.

Najmul shared a recent comment from Tamim, in which the former opener urged the BCB to carefully consider all aspects before taking any decision regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, noting that a major portion of the board’s revenue comes from the ICC. 

While sharing the comment on Facebook, Najmul wrote that the country had now “witnessed the emergence of another proven Indian agent.”

Following widespread backlash, Najmul issued another Facebook post a few hours later, claiming that the remark reflected his personal observation and should not be interpreted otherwise. 

The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) on Friday said it had written to the BCB president, demanding action against the director and calling for a public apology.

“A comment made by BCB director M Najmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal has come to the attention of the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB). We are stunned, shocked and outraged by it,” CWAB said in a statement.

“Such a remark by a board official about the most successful opener in Bangladesh’s history, who represented the country for 16 years, is utterly condemnable. Not only because it concerns a player like Tamim, but such comments about any cricketer of the country are unacceptable and insulting to the entire cricketing community.”

CWAB added that the comment raised serious concerns over the conduct of board officials.

“When a responsible board director makes such remarks on a public platform, it raises serious questions about professionalism, ethics and the code of conduct of BCB officials,” the statement read.

“We have already submitted a protest letter to the BCB president, demanding a public apology from the concerned director and that he be brought under accountability. We hope the BCB president will take appropriate action as soon as possible.”

Several national team cricketers, including Taskin Ahmed, Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam, also voiced their displeasure on social media.

Taskin said such remarks were detrimental to the progress of Bangladesh cricket.

“Cricket is the life of Bangladesh. A recent comment surrounding a former national captain who has made a major contribution to the game has caused many to reflect. Such remarks directed at a former cricketer are not helpful in the interest of Bangladesh cricket. I hope the concerned authorities will consider the matter seriously and adopt a more responsible stance in the future,” Taskin wrote.

Taijul said he was shocked by the language used to criticise Tamim.

“I am shocked by the statement made by BCB director M Najmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal. Such choice of words by a board director about a national team cricketer is not only tasteless but completely unacceptable and contrary to our cricketing culture,” his statement said.

“Making such public remarks while holding a responsible position raises serious questions about professionalism, ethics and the code of conduct of board officials. I strongly demand a public apology and appropriate accountability.”

Mominul described the comment as an insult to the country’s cricketing community.

“The comment made by BCB director M Najmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal is completely unacceptable and insulting. A senior cricketer was denied even the minimum respect and instead publicly humiliated,” his statement said. “I strongly condemn this comment and firmly demand a public apology and swift action from the BCB.”