CWAB threatens total boycott over Najmul’s remarks

In a dramatic escalation, the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has declared an all-out boycott of all cricketing activities, including the ongoing Bashundhara Cement Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), unless Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director M Najmul Islam resigns by Thursday’s match.

The ultimatum was announced on Wednesday night during an emergency online press conference, where CWAB president Mohammad Mithun voiced cricketers’ outrage over Najmul's recent dehumanizing remarks.

“The words that the board director has used about the players are completely unacceptable to the players. It has deeply hurt the entire body of cricketers,” Mithun said.

“We have even given the board a lot of time on the First Division, and still we haven’t seen any positive result. And the words that this board director is repeatedly using have deeply hurt the entire cricket community, and the players are in no way willing to accept this.”

“So if he does not resign before tomorrow’s (Thursday) match, then from tomorrow onward we are announcing a boycott of all cricket activities,” Mithun declared.

The revolt was sparked by Najmul's comments earlier that afternoon, where he dismissed player financial concerns regarding a potential World Cup boycott, mockingly asking: “If they go somewhere and cannot do anything…do we ask for that money back from them? Do we? Answer me.”

Sensing the looming strike, the BCB had released a formal statement shortly before Mithun spoke, expressing “sincere regret for remarks that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful.”

The board clarified that Najmul’s comments do not reflect its official position, stating they “should not be interpreted as representing the views or policies of the board.”

The BCB further pledged “appropriate disciplinary action” against conduct that shows disrespect toward cricketers, reaffirming that “players remain at the heart of Bangladesh cricket."