Mohammad Mithun, the Bangladesh national team cricketer and president of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), said on Thursday that he has received threats via phone calls and WhatsApp messages from unidentified local and foreign numbers, amid an escalating dispute between players and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Mithun alleged that the messages include abusive language and intimidation. He said the senders accused players of acting as “agents” and blamed them for creating instability in the country. One message warned that “no cricketer will be able to move safely on Bangladeshi soil after today”.
Speaking to a local media outlet, Mithun confirmed the threats. “Since 9pm, the intensity of the threats has increased,” he said. “We have not spoken against the country. Is it a crime to speak about our rights as cricketers? I do not understand why we are being intimidated.”
Asked about legal action, the CWAB president said no formal complaint has yet been filed. “We are considering legal steps depending on how the situation develops,” he added.
The allegations come at a volatile moment in Bangladesh cricket. On Wednesday night, CWAB issued an ultimatum calling for the resignation of BCB director M Nazmul Islam, following his controversial comments about players. When no resignation followed, players boycotted Bangladesh Premier League matches on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Mithun and several players held a press conference at a hotel in the capital, reiterating their demands. Later, the BCB removed Nazmul Islam from his role as chairman of the board’s finance committee, prompting CWAB to soften its stance.
The players’ body said it would consider returning to the field if Nazmul offers a public apology and if formal steps are taken to remove him from his director position.
