Bangladesh players slam BCB official's slur on Tamim Iqbal

A controversial social media post by a senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official has triggered widespread anger across the country’s cricketing fraternity, with players and administrators demanding accountability and a public apology.

The uproar began after M Nazmul Islam, chairman of the BCB’s finance committee, referred to former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian agent” in a Facebook post. The remark was made after Tamim urged the board to act calmly and rationally while deciding Bangladesh’s stance on participating in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India.

Nazmul’s post, which claimed that the public had once again witnessed the rise of an “Indian agent,” was swiftly condemned by current and former national team players. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, along with experienced cricketers Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam, publicly criticised the statement, calling it disrespectful and damaging to Bangladesh cricket.

The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) also reacted strongly, expressing shock and outrage at the comments made by a serving board director. In an official statement, the players’ body described the remark as disgraceful, especially given Tamim Iqbal’s stature as the most successful opener in the nation’s history and his 16 years of service to Bangladesh cricket.

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CWAB stressed that such language from a senior board official was not only insulting to Tamim but to the entire cricketing community. The association has since submitted a formal protest letter to the BCB president, demanding a public apology from Nazmul Islam and appropriate disciplinary action.

Tamim, now 36, retired as one of Bangladesh’s greatest players, having represented the country in 70 Tests, 243 One-Day Internationals and 78 T20 Internationals.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Bangladesh cricket, with tensions already high following the BCB’s communication to the ICC requesting that their T20 World Cup matches be shifted out of India. This followed the BCCI’s directive to IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the 2026 season.