In a rare and spontaneous gathering, several current and former national cricketers, led by Tamim Iqbal, met with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The meeting stemmed from a sense of growing frustration among players over a series of recent decisions and incidents that they believe have damaged the integrity of cricket in Bangladesh.
The main trigger for the meeting was the controversy surrounding Towhid Hridoy’s suspension. On April 24, Nazmul Abedin Fahim, BCB cricket operations chairman and newly appointed convener of the CCDM technical committee, confirmed that Hridoy, captain of Mohammedan Sporting Club, would be suspended for his team’s next match against Gazi Group. This decision reignited debates, as Hridoy had previously served only one match of a two-match ban following misconduct on the field.
The premature reduction of his suspension had already sparked criticism, leading to the resignation of former CCDM technical committee convener Enamul Haque Moni. Additionally, BCB elite umpire Sharafuddoula Ibne Saikat, who officiated the match where Hridoy’s behavior became an issue, also resigned, protesting the handling of the situation.
But the Hridoy case was not the only concern. Other incidents, such as the controversial investigation by BCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) into a match between Gulshan Cricket Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club, added to the players’ dissatisfaction. Players Naeem and Sabbir were summoned and forced to recreate scenes from the match at the academy ground, an action players felt was both humiliating and against proper anti-corruption protocols.
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Current and Former Cricketers Meet BCB President: Growing Discontent Among Players, Key Issues Raised
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Tamim Iqbal explained the players’ grievances in detail. “The main reason we gathered here is because, over the last few months, there have been incidents that made the players very upset,” Tamim said.
He first highlighted the inconsistent handling of Hridoy’s suspension. “Initially, Hridoy was suspended for two matches, and no one protested. But later, the suspension was reduced without clear reasoning. After serving a one-match ban, he played two games and was suddenly suspended again. We asked, under which law can a player be punished twice for the same offence?” Tamim questioned.
Moving on to the ACU investigation, Tamim strongly criticized the method used to question players. “We all support proper punishment if there is wrongdoing. But forcing players to reenact scenes in front of cameras, without any formal accusation, is humiliating. No anti-corruption authority anywhere treats players like this,” he asserted.
Another major point of contention was the leaking of names during the last Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The ACU had identified 10 players as being under suspicion, but their names were leaked to the media before any formal charges. “If players are guilty, punish them. But publishing names of innocent players without evidence is insulting and unfair,” Tamim said.
According to Tamim, the players requested President Faruque Ahmed to hear them out, and he responded positively by attending the meeting with two BCB directors. “We had a big discussion and shared our concerns openly,” he added. “We want swift and fair action, especially with matches scheduled immediately.”
Tamim emphasized that the players’ concerns were not about favoritism toward any club or player but about maintaining fairness and dignity. “Whether Mohammedan pressured BCB or not is irrelevant. Once a player is allowed to play, he cannot be punished again for the same issue,” he said.
BCB Responds with Clarification
Following the meeting, the BCB issued an official clarification regarding Hridoy’s suspension. In a statement, the board explained that Hridoy’s original two-match ban had been deferred over a 12-month period. “This considered approach was adopted to uphold the integrity of the game, ensure the continuity of the current tournament, and promote unity within the cricket community,” the statement read.
While the BCB’s clarification sought to ease tensions, it remains to be seen whether players’ concerns have been fully addressed. The meeting signals that Bangladesh’s top cricketers are no longer willing to stay silent when they feel the game’s integrity is at stake.
