Bangladesh is known for its “gentlemanly” tradition in the sport of Cricket; however, the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand was the setting for Bangladesh women’s Cricket to expose a problem away from the game when player Jahanara Alam accused several members of her team of sexual harassment, which ultimately led to many former female players to come forward and attack the organization that runs women’s cricket in Bangladesh. To respond to the accusations, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appointed a high-profile investigation panel and placed four senior officials into special duty; both actions were significant because they indicated that all individuals within the organization, whether an entry-level staff member, a coach, or a Director of the board, are accountable. The stakes have never been higher as the integrity of the BCB, along with the safety of female players, has never been in greater jeopardy.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
BCB President Aminul Islam has clearly stated that he will take no action on misconduct and there will be “zero tolerance.” This was not a statement of intent but rather a policy supported by the actions taken by the board. When the BCB empowered a committee headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Tariq ul Hakim, the board sent a strong signal that all levels of officials within the board will be subject to review and investigation. Historically, cricket boards in South Asia have had difficulty holding their own officials accountable, as many boards would place reputation above the pursuit of justice. Bangladesh’s decision to empower an independent panel to make decisions regarding matters of misconduct follows international best practices seen in boards such as Cricket Australia, following their 2021 misconduct controversies, where senior administrators were investigated without interference. The message is very clear: Hierarchy does not protect against misconduct.
Systemic Checks on Misconduct
Assigning the four individuals – Manager SM Golam Faiyaz; Physiotherapist Suraiya Akter; Coach Mahmud Emon; Official Sarfaraz Babu – to Special Duty (OSD) is a very unusual, yet necessary course of action. The OSD designation would prevent these four officials from influencing the investigation, as well as allow for due process to be followed. Director of Facilities Shanian Taneem echoed the principles stated above, “If the committee makes recommendations about removing employees/directors…we will follow those recommendations…whether the individual is an employee or a director.” The Board’s actions demonstrate a level of maturity in how they are governing themselves, recognizing that player protection against abuse/sexual harassment can only occur through structural changes and not merely by making statements.
Balancing Justice and Due Process
One of the most impressive aspects of the BCB’s actions was its fine-tuning of speed and justice. Shanian pointed out that the accused are deserving of time to reply and make a defense five to seven days to allow them to do so is a fair amount of time, as well as legal. The reason this balance is important in the cricket world is that accusations can quickly develop into career-terminating media coverage. This balance represents an understanding that justice must remain blind; however, it must also operate with some level of order and deliberation. Therefore, the board will not be able to claim that they have a “zero-tolerance” policy for misconduct and yet also harm those who are innocent. This procedure will establish a precedent for how cricket boards in South Asia may handle serious misconduct cases in the future.
Cultural Shift in Bangladesh Cricket
More than it is a criminal investigation, this is a turning point in culture. Female cricketers in Bangladesh have had to navigate a male-dominated sport for years, often without much protective support. That the BCB responded openly, as it did with a formal statement of intent and a formal inquiry process, tells these players that they are valuable to the administration not just for the number of runs and wickets they can produce, but also for their dignity and physical safety. This could build confidence and create an environment where more women will feel comfortable playing professional cricket.
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