A senior official of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has ignited a major controversy by labelling former national team captain Tamim Iqbal as an "Indian agent". The remark, made publicly on social media, has triggered a wave of condemnation from current and former cricketers in the country, leading to a formal protest and demands for accountability.
Outcry from the Cricket Community
The inflammatory comment was posted on Facebook by M Nazmul Islam, the chairman of the BCB's finance committee. He wrote, "This time, the people of Bangladesh witnessed, with their own eyes, the emergence of yet another proven Indian agent." This was in reference to Tamim's recent advice to the board urging them not to be driven by emotion when deciding on the national team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India.
The post received immediate and fierce backlash. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) issued a strong statement, expressing they were "stunned, shocked, and outraged." They condemned the remark as "utterly condemnable," emphasizing that such comments about any cricketer are unacceptable and insult the entire sporting community.
Players Demand Apology and Action
Prominent national team players quickly voiced their disapproval. Pacer Taskin Ahmed stated that such remarks are not helpful for Bangladesh cricket and hoped authorities would adopt a more responsible stance. Former captain Mominul Haque called the comment "completely unacceptable" and said it showed a lack of basic decorum, demanding a swift public apology.
The CWAB has already submitted a formal protest letter to the BCB president. In their statement, they said, "We strongly protest against this comment. When a responsible board director makes such remarks on a public platform, it also raises serious questions about the code of conduct of board officials." They have demanded a public apology from Nazmul Islam and that he be held accountable for his words.
Background of the Controversy and Tamim's Legacy
The context of the remark involves Bangladesh's request to the International Cricket Council to move their T20 World Cup matches out of India. This request came after the BCCI asked IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release bowler Mustafizur Rahman early. Tamim's counsel for a non-emotional decision appears to have prompted the official's outburst.
Tamim Iqbal, 36, is one of Bangladesh's most celebrated cricketers. He represented the country for 16 years, playing 70 Tests, 243 ODIs, and 78 T20 Internationals. His notable achievements include a match-winning half-century against India in the 2007 ODI World Cup that helped knock India out of the tournament.
The players' body highlighted that disrespecting a senior player of Tamim's stature, who has contributed significantly to Bangladesh cricket, is a serious matter. The incident has put the BCB's internal culture and the conduct of its officials under intense scrutiny, with the cricketing fraternity awaiting a decisive response from the board's top leadership.
