Bangladesh Cricket Crisis Escalates: Players Face Threats as ‘Traitors’
Boycotting cricketers receive abuse and threats after board shake-up.
Bangladesh cricket is in turmoil as a fierce protest by players has taken a dangerous turn. The controversy erupted when Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director M Nazmul Islam labelled former Captain Tamim Iqbal an “Indian agent” amid tensions over the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 and related issues like the IPL fallout involving Mustafizur Rahman. This sparked outrage, leading the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) to demand his resignation and threaten a nationwide boycott of all domestic and international matches.
The players’ united front forced the BCB into an emergency meeting, resulting in Nazmul Islam’s sacking on January 15, 2026. However, the victory came at a cost. Senior Cricketer Mohammad Mithun, who led the boycott protests, revealed that several players, especially those who appeared publicly, have been receiving anonymous threat calls from unknown numbers. “We’ve been labelled as traitors and enemies of the nation,” Mithun stated, highlighting how the backlash has turned personal and intimidating.
The boycott disrupted the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), with multiple matches postponed as teams refused to take the field, underscoring the depth of player frustration over perceived insults and lack of respect from board officials. The episode is linked to broader geopolitical strains, including Bangladesh’s reluctance to play World Cup matches in India due to safety concerns following recent incidents.
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As the dust settles, the CWAB has called off the full boycott after late-night talks with the BCB, but the incident exposes deep rifts within Bangladesh cricket. With the T20 World Cup approaching, the focus now shifts to rebuilding trust, ensuring player safety, and preventing future conflicts that could jeopardize the sport’s future in the country
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