The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has removed Najmul Islam from his role as chairman of the finance committee following escalating protests by players and a boycott of cricketing activities led by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).
Players had demanded Najmul’s exit, citing his recent remarks about cricketers as disrespectful and damaging to trust between the board and the playing group. CWAB announced a boycott of all cricket until he stepped aside, threatening to paralyse domestic competitions and disrupt the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
In its official announcement, the BCB said the president exercised constitutional authority under Article 31 to remove Najmul with immediate effect. The board president will serve as acting chairman of the finance committee until further notice.
“The decision has been taken in the best interest of the organisation to ensure smooth functioning of the board’s affairs,” the statement read. The BCB reiterated that cricketers’ interests remain its highest priority and urged players to uphold professionalism and continue participating in the BPL.
Najmul’s removal marks the most decisive step yet by the BCB to defuse unrest. While the board has not clarified whether he will continue in another capacity, stripping him of financial oversight is seen as an attempt to restore calm and reopen dialogue with players.
Attention now turns to whether cricketers will lift their boycott and return to competition. The standoff has already disrupted matches, raising concerns about the stability of ongoing tournaments and the future of Bangladesh cricket.
