CWAB demands public apology from BCB director over controversial remark on Tamim

The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh, CWAB, has demanded a public apology from Bangladesh Cricket Board director M Nazmul Islam for making a controversial comment about former national team captain Tamim Iqbal. The organisation has also called for bringing the director under accountability.

CWAB made the demand at a press conference in Sylhet on Friday, November 9, where it strongly condemned and protested the remarks made by the BCB director.

Tamim Iqbal shared his opinion at an event on Thursday regarding Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India to play in the World Cup. He said Bangladesh receives a large amount of money from the ICC and that decisions should be taken after considering all aspects.

Soon after Tamim’s comments, BCB director and finance committee chairman M Nazmul Islam posted a Facebook status referring to him as an “Indian agent”, triggering widespread criticism.

In a written statement at the press conference, CWAB president Mohammad Mithun said when a responsible board director makes such comments on a public platform, it raises serious questions about the conduct of board officials.

He said CWAB has already submitted a protest letter to the BCB president, demanding a public apology from the director and calling for appropriate accountability measures. He expressed hope that necessary action would be taken promptly.

Many of Tamim Iqbal’s former and current teammates have voiced their support for him on social media.

During the press conference, Mithun was asked why cricketers did not speak out publicly when Mustafizur Rahman was excluded from the IPL. In response, he said CWAB viewed that issue differently.

Mithun said the organisation discussed the matter with Mustafizur and also held meetings with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, FICA. According to him, FICA had offered to engage legal advisers to contact the BCCI and seek possible compensation if Mustafizur wished.

However, Mithun said the matter did not progress due to Mustafizur’s personal decision, as the player later indicated that he did not want to pursue the issue further at that time.