The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that contact has finally been established with director M Nazmul Islam after a full day of failed attempts, with the board now waiting for his formal response.
Nazmul had been unreachable throughout 15 January, prompting concern at the BCB amid an escalating crisis triggered by his controversial remarks. The situation contributed directly to the abandonment of all Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches on the same day.
Nazmul has been under sustained criticism following a series of public comments, including one in which he referred to former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian dalal”. Despite calls for his resignation, he initially refused to step down. Subsequent remarks about cricketers’ salaries and performances further inflamed tensions, leading players to threaten a boycott of all cricket.
With Nazmul declining to resign, no BPL match could be played on 15 January. In response, the BCB removed him from his position as chairman of the finance committee. That decision was welcomed by the players, who later agreed to return to the field on a conditional basis. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) subsequently issued a press release stating that Nazmul must publicly apologise for his remarks.
Earlier on 15 January, the BCB also served Nazmul with a show-cause notice, instructing him to submit a written explanation by 11:00 am on 17 January. Despite extensive efforts to resolve the matter, board officials were initially unable to reach him.
A member of the BPL Governing Council told Times of Bangladesh that communication was restored the following day.
“His phone was ringing, but he was not responding earlier. I have now spoken to him and informed him of the current situation,” the official said. “We did not go into the issue in detail. He already knows what steps we have taken. Now we are waiting for his written reply within the given timeframe.”
The official added that Nazmul should have addressed the issue directly from the outset.
“When comments like these lead to such consequences, the person responsible should come forward and clarify matters,” he said. “A full day of matches was lost, supporters suffered, and the BPL was pushed to the brink. Had play not resumed, there would have been no time left to complete the tournament.”
The matter will now move through the board’s formal disciplinary process once Nazmul’s response is received.
“We have a disciplinary committee. After his explanation is submitted, the next steps will follow accordingly,” the official added
