BPL matches to resume after CWAB, BCB reach understanding

Bashundhara Cement Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches are set to resume after the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reached a working understanding following a standoff over controversial remarks by BCB director M Najmul Islam.

Najmul, who served as chairman of the BCB Finance Committee until recently, had sparked outrage with comments questioning players’ commitment and dismissing their concerns over financial risks, including potential fallout from a T20 World Cup boycott. His remarks prompted CWAB to threaten a full-scale boycott, disrupting domestic cricket and delaying the opening day of the Dhaka phase of the BPL. Najmul was subsequently removed from his committee and issued a show-cause notice.

BPL Governing Council Member Secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, after meeting CWAB at the BCB office in Navana Tower, confirmed that action has been taken against Najmul and that matches will be rescheduled.

“So whatever happened today has happened — the match did not take place. We sat with them today. We explained our position about what happened and what didn’t. They also gave us a letter. You know that regarding the director who made the comment — action has already been taken,” he said.

“He has been removed from his committee and, following procedure (we operate under the constitution), he has been served a show-cause notice. He has been given 48 hours, which will expire at noon on the 17th, to submit his reply. After that, the matter will go to the disciplinary committee. In the meantime, we tried all day to contact him. We wanted to bring him here today, but we could not reach him,” he explained.

“We all agreed that we want cricket to resume. Before the qualifiers, there was a one-day gap — a rest day on the 18th. What we are doing now is shifting everything forward until the 18th. Please inform the supporters that today’s match will be played tomorrow, tomorrow’s match the day after, and the day-after’s match will be on the 18th. I am very happy that we were able to reach a conclusion,” he added.

CWAB president Mohammad Mithun confirmed that discussions were constructive.

“We came here and sat with the Board President, Mithu bhai, and other directors. They have confirmed to us — because what they can control, they will control. Since at the moment the person concerned cannot be reached, they have promised us that they will reach him as early as possible and fulfil our demand regarding him,” he said.

“They will complete the process according to their procedure. And regarding our other issues — Dhaka League, women’s cricket, and fixing-related matters — those were also discussed. They have assured us that none of these will be taken lightly and everything will be addressed very seriously. None of us is above cricket. We also want matches to be played. We want to play. In the interest of cricket, we will return to the field and resume playing from tomorrow,” he added.

Mithu emphasised that the BCB will follow constitutional procedures strictly, including disciplinary measures if Najmul does not respond within 48 hours. Both sides highlighted that cricket and players remain central to the game, and the resolution marks a step toward restoring normalcy in the BPL.