Jahanara Alam, the former Bangladesh captain who now lives in Australia, came forward in a social media interview with a shocking claim. She said some members of the national team’s management made indecent proposals to her during the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup. According to her, former national fast bowler Monjurul Islam who later worked as a manager and selector of the women’s side, tried to misuse his position. She believes her refusal to entertain his advances is what ended her international career.
Sharing one incident, she said, “Monjurul Islam monitored my menstrual cycle. One day he placed his hand on my shoulder and asked, ‘Why is your period taking so long to end? You should think about our wellbeing as well.’”
She broke down while talking. Her voice trembled, and fans were left stunned. She claimed the BCB knew everything, yet never acted seriously after her complaints.
Jahanara also named the late Towhid Mahmud and another board official, Sarfaraz Babu, accusing them of similar indecent behaviour. She said she informed women’s wing chairman Nadel Chowdhury, and even sent a written complaint to BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, but nothing changed.
But Jahanara is not alone. Many former women cricketers have spoken about the same kind of neglect and indifference.
Her former teammate Rumana Ahmed reacted on Facebook with just one word: “Speechless.” Later, while speaking to The Daily Times of Bangladesh, Rumana expressed her own frustration with the current system.
She said, “Our (BCB) president is so busy that we cannot get a bit of his time by calling or texting.”
According to her, other BCB officials behave in the same manner. She said, “I don’t think there is anyone in the board who is eager to hear us out.”
Rumana believes the senior women cricketers face even more ignorance. She said, “It’s like we are from the senior quota, and we are nobody to the selectors. As if the newcomers are playing well and we never did. Who will listen to us?”
She also criticised how nothing changes even after media coverage. Rumana said, “You (journalists) write about the misconduct. People read it, feel sad, and then everything stops. No further steps are taken. For two or three years we have been speaking out, but no solution came. So I don’t think there is any real solution to this in this country.”
In a painful tone she added, “I surrender to all this. I give up. If the president himself ever calls me, I will tell him everything. Otherwise, I won’t speak anymore.”
Standing beside Jahanara, Rumana said, “We must investigate Jahanara’s claims closely. Things might not be proven fully, but at least eighty percent of what she said is true and can be proven.”
On the other side, Monjurul Islam denied the allegations when contacted by Cricbuzz. “What can I say apart from calling it baseless? You can ask other cricketers if I was good or bad,” he said.
Responding to the claims, Sarfaraz Babu told Cricbuzz, “It’s unfortunate she is dragging a dead man. I just want her to bring proof instead of making baseless accusations.”
With so many voices finally speaking up, the BCB has now said it will take action.
In a statement, the board said it is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful cricket environment. “The BCB is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all its players and personnel. The board takes such matters with utmost seriousness and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation,” the release said.
The issues raised by Jahanara are serious. The BCB must sit with the former women cricketers and listen to their complaints. A transparent, independent investigation is needed, and truth should win. If not, women’s cricket, which is already fighting many challenges, will stay under question. Young girls will fear the system instead of dreaming of becoming cricketers. The BCB must ensure cricket is safe for everyone.
