CWAB condemns assault and harassment of Nayeem

The Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) on Saturday condemned the physical assault and harassment of national cricketer Nayeem Hasan by police personnel and urged the Chattogram Metropolitan Police to take strict action against those involved.

According to a CWAB press release, Nayeem was stopped by police near Lalkhan Bazar while returning home to Chattogram after playing a Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match in Savar on Friday.

"According to reports, the police displayed hostile behaviour from the outset. When Nayeem attempted to speak, officers allegedly grabbed him by the throat. Despite numerous bystanders informing the police that he was national cricketer Nayeem Hasan, he was reportedly beaten with a pipe," the press release said.

"Nayeem was then taken to Khulshi Police Station, where he was allegedly subjected to further mistreatment. The officers only backed off when Nayeem managed to call for assistance," it added.

CWAB said such an incident was unacceptable for any citizen and expressed its full support for Nayeem.

"CWAB President Mohammad Mithun has already spoken with Nayeem and assured him that all cricketers in the country stand by his side," the statement added.

Meanwhile, several videos related to the incident have been circulating on social media since late Friday night. In one of the videos, Nayeem alleged misconduct and physical assault by police officers.

"I was playing in the [Dhaka] Premier League, and my flight was delayed. After arriving at the airport, I took a CNG and was on my way home. Around 11:25pm, under the Lalkhan Bazar flyover, police stopped my CNG and took the driver's documents. I told them, 'You can check my bag if needed.' One of the officers grabbed me by the throat and said, 'Get in the vehicle,' forcing me into their vehicle.

"I managed to get out and asked, 'Why are you grabbing me by the throat?' After that, they continued assaulting and harassing me. Later, many people recognised me, and I showed them my ID card, but they still kept beating me," Nayeem told reporters at the police station on Friday night.

Nayeem, who made his international debut in 2018, has played 14 Tests and taken 48 wickets. He is also part of Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe, which begins in Harare on June 28.

The 26-year-old off-spinner has also taken 300 wickets in first-class cricket.