Tamim Labeled an “Indian Agent”; Taskin, Mominul, Taijul and CWAB Protest

The decision of Bangladesh not to travel to India to play the T20 World Cup has sparked intense discussion and debate across the country. Former national team captain Tamim Iqbal shared his opinion on the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s decision at an event the day before yesterday. He said that any decision in this regard should be taken by considering Bangladesh’s position and future in world cricket.

A photo card featuring Tamim’s comment was shared on social media by BCB director and chairman of the board’s finance committee, M Nazmul Islam. In the post, he wrote, “This time, the people of Bengal witnessed the emergence of another proven Indian agent with their own eyes.” Although the post was later deleted, it had already spread across social media by then.

Attempts were made to contact Nazmul Islam to learn the reason behind such a comment about the former national captain, but he did not answer his phone. However, around noon today, he again posted under ‘Friends’ privacy. In that post, he wrote that considering India’s security situation in the Mustafiz issue, the sports adviser had requested the BCB to discuss with the ICC the relocation of Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup from India to Sri Lanka. He also mentioned that the foreign affairs adviser supported this decision. In such a situation, Nazmul commented that Tamim had taken a stance in favor of India, going against the sentiments of the people of the country. At the end of the status, he claimed that this was his personal opinion.

Tamim Iqbal has not yet reacted to the incident. However, several current and former national team cricketers have publicly protested strongly against Nazmul Islam’s remarks.

Left-arm spinner of the national team, Taijul Islam, wrote on Facebook that such comments by a board director about a former national captain are tasteless, unacceptable, and contrary to the culture of the country’s cricket. He demanded a public apology from the concerned director and that he be brought under accountability.

Echoing the same sentiment, former Test captain Mominul Haque said that publicly insulting a senior cricketer like Tamim Iqbal is conflicting with the responsibility and ethics of the board. He strongly condemned the comment and called for swift and strict action by the BCB.

National team pacer Taskin Ahmed also reacted, saying that such remarks about a former captain who has made significant contributions to the country’s cricket are not helpful for the interests of the game. He expressed expectations for more responsible behavior in the future.

Cricketers’ organization Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has sent a formal protest letter to the BCB over the incident. In a press release on Friday (December 9), CWAB said they were shocked, astonished, and angered by the board director’s comments about Tamim Iqbal, one of the most successful openers in Bangladesh’s history. The organization stated that such remarks are insulting not only to Tamim but to the entire cricketing community of the country.

CWAB further stated that when a responsible board official makes such statements publicly, questions arise regarding the code of conduct of board officials. For this reason, a protest letter has been sent to the BCB president, demanding a public apology from the concerned director and that he be held accountable.