The emotional rollercoaster of cricket in Bangladesh took an ominous turn this week when what was supposed to be a professional demonstration for cricketers’ rights and dignity became a threat against visible players who dared to express themselves. When Mohammad Mithun, CWAB President, stated that he and other high-profile players were receiving threatening phone calls and messages during the boycott, the postponement of BPL fixtures ceased to be the story, and the real story emerged: one of power, intimidation, and control.
The two BPL matches, as well as a few Dhaka League games, were postponed, a record for Bangladesh’s domestic schedule, yet Mithun’s refusal to play was remarkably low-key. No political statements or protests against the board; no calls to patriotism. In short, the only thing he said was “I have to protect my self-respect.” This is a phrase that has been heard many times in cricket history, most often when governing bodies are slow to respond to the reality of professional players. It also doesn’t often fade away quietly.
BCB’s Security Response Under the Microscope
The BCB’s Director, Iftekhar Rahman, has assured the cricket community, through his statement about the board’s security department intervening, that such an intervention will occur; however, this is a reactive approach to player safety. In modern sports administration, ensuring that all stakeholders involved in sport are protected from harm is not discretionary; it is mandatory. Administrations are judged not on their response to perceived or actual incidents of harm, but on their proactive measures to prevent them from occurring. That players felt unsafe prior to the protective measures being implemented demonstrates a structural failure of the Board to anticipate such threats.
Also read:- Why BCB’s Najmul Islam Decision Could Redefine Player Power in the BPL
One Comment, Compounding Damage
The dispute escalated when M Nazmul Islam, BCB’s Director of Cricket Operations, spoke out. Although he was removed as Chairman of the Finance Committee, he had not been removed as a member of the committee; nor did he recant, instead continuing in the same manner he had previously (a common problem in cricket) and exposing another weakness of cricket, delayed accountability. It is no surprise that Iftekarar stated that Nazmul’s comments were “wrong” and contributed to worsening the issue. This is a well-known fact in crisis management – miscommunication can escalate unrest much faster than poorly made decisions.
A Board Divided Speaks Volumes
Shanian Taneem’s public support for players was not just a feeling; it was a rare crack in the board’s unanimous thinking. Shanian referred to the players as “our children,” while calling for fair compensation, he placed himself at the complete opposite end of the scale of the Board’s thinking compared to Nazmul. When board members publicly disagree with one another to such an extent, it signifies not an open or healthy discussion of how things are run, but rather that there is an underlying governance philosophy that has yet to be resolved.
Self-Respect as Cricket’s Oldest Currency
Remove the political issues from the equation; the argument of Mithun is similar to an ageless fact about cricket: Players endure hardships, but they will never endure humiliation. This is evident in every dispute regarding pay for the West Indies team, as well as in every standoff over the central contracts of Pakistani players. When a player feels their personal dignity has been attacked, performance deteriorates. Bangladesh cricket is still on a path to establishing itself globally, so it cannot afford to experience such a decline.
This episode is about more than threats or boycotts. It is a vote on how the BCB wants to take Bangladesh Cricket into the future. The BCB’s willingness to address these threats will be a first step towards restoring trust. Restoring trust means transparent accountability, disciplined communication, and real representation for players.
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