BCB director calls Tamim Iqbal ‘Indian agent’:Bangladesh cricketers lashed out at Najmul Islam after comment on Tamim’s integrity

Amid the ongoing T20 World Cup venue controversy and the Mustafizur Rahman row, former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal came forward to share his views in support of Team Bangladesh ahead of the ICC marquee event. While Tamim maintained a balanced stand and stressed the importance of safeguarding Bangladesh cricket’s future, his remarks drew sharp reactions within the board. Following his statement, BCB director M Najmul Islam made a controversial remark, calling Tamim an ‘Indian agent.’ The comment sparked widespread outrage within the Bangladesh cricket fraternity, with several senior players, including Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam, and Mominul Haque, publicly backing Tamim and strongly criticising Najmul Islam’s remarks. Nazrul Islam calls Tamim Iqbal ‘Indian agent’ The Bangladesh Board director M Nazmul Islam, accused the former cricketer, calling him an ‘Indian agent’. “Eibar aaro ekjon porikkhito Bharatiya dalaal er aatyoprokash Banglar jonogon duchokh bhore dekhlo (This time, Bangladesh has witnessed the self-expression of a proven Indian agent),” wrote Najmul Islam in a Facebook post. Also read: BCB writes second letter to ICC, want matches outside India: Bangladesh firm on relocation of T20 World Cup games, players ‘tense’ amid uncertainty Tamim Iqbal’s opinion on the ongoing T20 WC venue controversy Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal shares his insight amid the ongoing T20 World Cup venue controversy and Mustafizur Rahman row. He said, “Since I am not involved [with the BCB], like any other regular person, I am finding things out through the media. But I am sure those dealing with these matters have a lot more information. So in that regard, I should not suddenly be making comments. What I am saying, however, is that Bangladesh cricket’s interest, future and everything else must be considered before making such a decision. There is nothing better than if something can be resolved through dialogue.” Tamim Iqbal raised concerns on Thursday about the long-term impact of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s demands. In response, Barta Bazar, a Dhaka-based publication, reported that M. Najmul Islam targeted the former cricketer through a social media post. Also read: ‘Won’t play in India, prepared to travel to Sri Lanka’: BCB will write to ICC again, Bangladeshi board firm on T20 World Cup stance Bangladesh cricketers lashed out at Najmul’s comment on Tamim Following the controversy surrounding Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mominul Haque, and Taijul Islam lashed out at the BCB Director after his comments on Tamim. Taskin Ahmed said, “Cricket is the life of Bangladesh. A recent comment surrounding a former national captain who has made a major contribution to the game has caused many to reflect. I believe that such remarks directed at a former cricketer of the country are not helpful in the interest of Bangladesh cricket. I hope the concerned authorities will consider the matter seriously and adopt a more responsible stance in the future,” he said. Mominul Haque said, “The comment made by BCB director M Nazmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal is completely unacceptable and insulting to the country’s cricketing community. Such behaviour towards a cricketer is in direct conflict with the board’s responsibility and ethics,” said Mominul. Also read: WATCH | Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill sweat hard in nets: Robin Uthappa wants Kohli to come out of Test retirement “A senior cricketer was not given even the minimum respect; instead, he was deliberately humiliated in public. Such remarks show a lack of even basic decorum regarding where and how to speak while holding such a high responsibility,” he added further. “I am shocked by the statement made by BCB director M Nazmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal. Such choice of words by a board director about a national team cricketer is not only tasteless, but completely unacceptable and contrary to our cricketing culture,” Taijul Islam concluded his views.