Bangladesh government, Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), and former men’s team captain Tamim Iqbal have all expressed grave concern over the sexual harassment and mental abuse allegations raised by former national women’s team skipper Jahanara Alam, calling for a swift, fair, and transparent investigation.

Adviser for Youth and Sports of Bangladesh Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said on Friday that the government will treat the matter with the utmost seriousness and ensure justice if the allegations are proven true.

“Ensuring the safety of women in sports and other areas is our top priority,” Asif told reporters. “I have watched Jahanara’s interview and spoken with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Their investigative committee will submit its report soon. We will also speak directly with Jahanara, and if she wishes to take legal action, the government will handle it with full gravity.”

Asif described the allegations as a criminal offence and assured that those found guilty would face exemplary punishment. “We will not tolerate any form of harassment or abuse in sports. Those responsible will face consequences,” he said.

The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) also issued a strong statement on Friday, urging the BCB to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the claims made by Jahanara against several officials, including former selector and team manager Manjurul Islam Manju.

In a statement signed by CWAB president Mohammad Mithun, the players’ body expressed full solidarity with Jahanara, saying her emotional account had deeply disturbed the cricket fraternity. “Each of Jahanara Alam’s allegations is grave and must not be dismissed,” the statement read. “The BCB should carry out a swift and transparent investigation involving all individuals mentioned — the team manager, selector, former in-charge, and coach. Any delay or effort to suppress the matter would be unacceptable.”

CWAB also called for a confidential probe to identify whether similar incidents are taking place in domestic or grassroots-level women’s cricket. “Our support for Jahanara extends beyond sympathy,” it said. “We stand firmly beside her and will provide every possible form of help in her pursuit of justice.”

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal also weighed in, demanding an independent inquiry conducted outside the jurisdiction of the BCB to ensure neutrality and transparency.

“These allegations are extremely serious and, if proven true, completely unacceptable,” Tamim wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. “Such conduct cannot be tolerated — not against a national player, an athlete from another sport, or any woman.”

Although acknowledging that the BCB has already formed a committee, Tamim insisted that a separate investigation under the National Sports Council or government supervision was necessary. “No BCB representative should be on the panel to avoid even the perception of bias,” he said.

Tamim also urged other women athletes to speak up if they have faced similar experiences. “I am hearing about more such incidents from various sources. I urge every woman cricketer who has faced harassment at any level to come forward fearlessly. You will find me and many others standing beside you,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza urged the BCB to handle Jahanara’s allegations with the seriousness they deserve. “I hope the BCB will treat each of Jahanara Alam’s claims with due importance, keeping in mind the interests of Bangladesh cricket and the broader sports arena,” Mashrafe said.

Jahanara, one of Bangladesh’s most experienced women cricketers, accused former selector and team manager Manjurul Islam Manju of sexual harassment and alleged mental abuse by other officials in a recent interview. The BCB has since formed an inquiry committee to investigate the matter, which has triggered widespread debate and calls for accountability across Bangladesh cricket.