New Delhi, January 14 (). Bangladesh cricketers have warned of boycotting Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches amid the ongoing impasse over the venues of their matches in the T20 World Cup. This warning has been given in protest against the controversial comments of a senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official.
Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh said the comments of BCB Finance Committee Chairman M. Nazmul Islam are completely unacceptable and have hurt the dignity of the players.
Earlier, Nazmul Islam had described former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian agent”. This comment came after Tamim Iqbal had suggested talks with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the T20 World Cup venue dispute.
On Wednesday, Nazmul Islam told the media that if Bangladesh does not participate in the T20 World Cup, the board will not suffer any significant loss because the Bangladesh team is not ready to go to India.
He said, “There is no profit or loss for the board in this. Whether Bangladesh plays or not, at least in this World Cup the board will not make any profit or loss.”
After this entire controversy, Bangladesh Cricket Board issued an official statement on Wednesday evening distancing itself from Nazmul Islam’s comments. BCB said that these statements are not in line with the values and official stance of the board.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board wishes to clarify its position on recent comments made by a Board member which have caused concern. The Board regrets any statements that may be construed as inappropriate, offensive or hurtful,” the board said in its statement.
The statement further said that such comments neither reflect the values and principles of the BCB nor are in line with the conduct expected of those charged with the responsibility of serving Bangladesh cricket.
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