Tamim Urges BCB for Accountability

DHAKA: Friction between players and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has intensified. On Friday, veteran cricketer Tamim Iqbal spearheaded a delegation of current and former players in an impromptu meeting with BCB President Faruque Ahmed at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The assembly was sparked by rising disquiet concerning recent issues, notably inconsistent disciplinary measures, the perceived unfair treatment of players, and instances of what many have termed public shaming.

The suspension issue surrounding Towhid Hridoy is a major source of the discontent. Hridoy was initially banned for two matches for on-field misconduct but was reinstated after serving only one game — a decision that drew considerable criticism.

The scenario grew more perplexing when the BCB revived the suspension, provoking further anger among the players.

“It’s absurd,” Tamim stated. “Once a player completes his suspension and is permitted to return, how can he be sanctioned again for the identical infraction?”

Concerns were also voiced regarding the handling of cricketers Naeem and Sabbir, who were reportedly made to recreate a contested dismissal during an anti-corruption probe.

“Punish those who are culpable, absolutely. However, publicly humiliating players transcends any regulatory framework,” Tamim asserted.

Another point of contention was the recent disclosure of a list identifying ten Bangladesh Premier League players suspected of corruption. Tamim denounced the leak, asserting it unjustly damaged the reputations of players who had committed no wrongdoing.

“If a player is at fault, take action. But do not denigrate everyone through leaks,” he added.

In response, the BCB clarified that Hridoy’s suspension was not overturned but rather deferred over a 12-month span to preserve the competition’s integrity while assuring impartiality.