Bangladesh Cricket Association President Faces Death Threats Over Player Safety Stand
Mohammad Mithun, the president of Bangladesh's Cricketers' Welfare Association (CWAB), has revealed he is receiving death threats. This alarming development comes after he publicly supported players following derogatory comments from a top Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official.
Mithun expressed his shock and concern in an interview with Cricbuzz. He emphasized that this marks the first time he has encountered such hostility in his life. The former cricketer turned administrator stated he has always avoided controversy and never spoken against his country.
Security Concerns Prompt World Cup Relocation Demand
The threats emerge amid a tense standoff regarding Bangladesh's participation in next month's T20 World Cup. The national team is demanding that their four preliminary matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns.
This demand follows BCB director Najmul Islam's controversial statement. Islam said players would not receive compensation if Bangladesh withdraws from the tournament should the International Cricket Council refuse to relocate matches. He further questioned the players' achievements, suggesting they haven't done enough to justify payouts.
"I've never experienced anything like this before," Mithun said. "It's completely new to me. I don't know how to process or describe it. My words have always been for cricket and player welfare, never against national interests."
Players Also Targeted as Association Head Seeks Protection
Mithun disclosed he hasn't formally reported the threats to the BCB yet. However, he knows other players have received similar threatening messages through various channels.
"I'm avoiding unknown calls on my mobile," he explained. "But WhatsApp messages and voice notes keep coming through. My number is publicly available as CWAB president, so I receive more communications than others."
The association head admitted feeling helpless about legal recourse. "I've never visited a police station for any matter in my life," Mithun confessed. "I don't even know how to approach law enforcement for protection."
Balancing World Cup Participation with Player Safety
Despite the threats, Mithun clarified his position on the World Cup controversy. He wants Bangladesh to compete in the prestigious tournament but insists player safety must come first.
"We absolutely demand player security," he stated firmly. "No one should play under life threats. At the same time, we want our team in the World Cup because it's the ultimate cricket event."
Mithun expressed confidence that the BCB and Bangladesh government will prioritize player welfare in their final decision. He believes they will find a solution that addresses security concerns while allowing participation.
The current crisis follows another recent India-Bangladesh cricket controversy. Pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League on BCCI instructions amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Though the Indian board didn't explicitly cite this reason, both the Bangladesh government and cricket board expressed anger over the decision.
As tensions escalate, Mithun remains committed to his role. "There's no personal agenda here," he asserted. "As CWAB president, if I don't advocate for players' rights, what's my purpose? Nobody places themselves above the country, but player protection matters too."
