Shanian slams abuse on Tamim, backs Shakib comeback

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director Shanian Taneem on Saturday condemned the comments of his colleague, Finance Committee Chairman M Najmul Islam, in which the finance chair had called former cricketer Tamim Iqbal a "dalal" (agent of India) on Friday, 9 January.

“Calling Tamim a ‘dalal’ or what is being done to (Mohammad) Mithun is, in my opinion, very abusive,” the Director said in Rajshahi. “Players should be given respect, regardless of whether you like them or not. You are giving respect to a human being.”

The BCB Facilities Department Chairman addressed that freedom of expression does not justify insults. 

“You can’t stop fans from expressing themselves, but coming and abusing shows disrespect. Respect should come from the fans themselves, and players must also be responsible for their words and actions,” he added.

The board official placed the issue in a global context, noting that players everywhere face criticism.

“England players at Lord’s, Australians at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), Virat Kohli when he underperforms, they face abuse too. If you become an icon in Bangladesh cricket, you have to accept this,” he said.

Turning to senior Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Shanian shared a personal view outside his board role. 

“I would love for Shakib to come back and represent Bangladesh. His political agenda or business legal cases are personal, but as a cricketer, he still earns the right to be the first name on the team list,” he said.

The BCB Director further added that  Bangladesh's three captains - One Day International skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, T20 International leader Litton Kumer Das, and Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto - would likely agree that the former Awami League Member of Parliament remains indispensable across formats.