The controversy around Tamim Iqbal and a Bangladesh Cricket Board director took another turn after M Nazmul Islam posted a fresh statement on social media following strong backlash.
In his latest post, Nazmul Islam said the issue should be seen in the context of national security. He wrote that during the Mustafizur Rahman episode, “the Bangladesh cricket team was at a security risk in India.” He added that the matter reached “the highest level,” where the sports adviser instructed the board to act.
Nazmul Islam claimed that ahead of the T20 World Cup, the adviser asked the BCB to “discuss with the ICC” about shifting Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka. He said the adviser later “fully supported” that decision.
Referring to Tamim Iqbal without naming him directly, Nazmul Islam described him as “an international cricketer of Bangladesh who scored 15,000 runs.” He then wrote that, in such a situation, going “outside the sentiment of the country’s people” and appearing to side with India was unacceptable to him.
“This is my personal feeling,” Nazmul Islam wrote. He ended the post by saying, “Please do not take this comment in any other way.”
The clarification came a day after Nazmul Islam deleted an earlier Facebook post in which he had called Tamim an “Indian agent.” That remark triggered widespread criticism and drew strong reactions from fans, journalists and members of the cricket community.
Current national team players also spoke out. Taijul Islam said he was shocked and called the language unacceptable for a board director. Taskin Ahmed said cricket is the pride of Bangladesh and such comments do not help the game.
The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh issued a formal protest as well. CWAB said it was hurt and ashamed by the remark and questioned the conduct and professionalism of board officials. The association demanded a public apology and accountability.
Tamim Iqbal has not responded publicly to the latest post. Earlier, he had described the Mustafizur Rahman IPL issue as unfortunate and said many problems can be solved through discussion. He also said the Bangladesh Cricket Board is an independent body that must think about the country’s future before taking decisions.
Despite the follow up statement, debate has continued online. Many have questioned whether the latest post addressed the language used earlier. What began as a cricket related discussion has now grown into a wider conversation about responsibility, restraint and governance within Bangladesh cricket.
Attention now remains on how the Bangladesh Cricket Board responds and whether any formal step follows this growing controversy.
