Cricket Standoff Shakes Bangladesh Premier League Amid Calls for Board Resignation

Tensions erupted in Bangladesh cricket as players from Chittagong Royals and Noakhali Express refused to play amid demands for BCB Director M Nazmul Islam's resignation over controversial comments. The BPL match faced delays, with cricketers uniting in protest, demanding clarity on Islam's position before resuming games.

The ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) faced a major disruption when players from Chittagong Royals and Noakhali Express refused to play, escalating demands for the resignation of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director M Nazmul Islam. The players protested his controversial remarks about the country's cricket stars, as reported by Channel 24 Bangladesh.

Originally set to take place at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the match was postponed as players awaited a resolution. Tensions mounted as the cricketers stated they would proceed together to a local hotel to decide their course of action, contingent on Islam's resignation.

This unrest was fueled by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) demanding Islam's resignation over comments targeting senior players, including former captain Tamim Iqbal. The controversy stemmed from remarks made by Islam labeling Iqbal an 'Indian agent' following Iqbal's call for dialogue regarding Bangladesh-India cricketing tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)