Nazmul Islam, at centre of cricket row over his remarks, becomes member secretary of NCP sports wing

M. Nazmul Islam, the former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and finance committee chairman whose single remark sparked widespread debate in the country's cricket circles, is now joining the National Citizen Party (NCP).

He will serve as member secretary of the party's new sports wing, the National Sports Alliance. Well-known sports organiser and cricket analyst Nazmul Abedeen Fahim will be the organisation's convener.

The new wing will be formally launched at a ceremony at the Krishibid Institution in the capital on Monday afternoon (November 2). Multiple NCP sources confirmed the matter, and Nazmul Islam himself also confirmed it.

The controversy began last January amid uncertainty over Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh had decided not to travel to India for the World Cup for security reasons.

Nazmul said at the time that even without playing the World Cup, the BCB's revenue from the ICC would not change until 2027. The financial loss, he said, would fall on the cricketers, as they would miss match fees and prize money.

His answer to journalists asking whether the BCB had a plan to compensate the cricketers for that loss drew intense criticism. He said at the time that if the players went and could achieve nothing, was the board supposed to ask them to return the crores of taka spent on them.

In answer to another question, he had said the cricketers could achieve nothing wherever they went and had not won any global award so far. Criticism began on social media that the remarks disrespected the cricketers.

To handle the situation, the BCB issued a press release that night. The board said a director's or member's personal comment was not the BCB's official position, expressed regret if anyone was hurt, and said disrespectful remarks about cricketers did not reflect the board's values and principles.

The controversy did not subside. The next day, January 15, the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) issued an ultimatum demanding Nazmul Islam's resignation and announced a boycott of all cricket including the BPL if the demand was not met. The same day, the BCB served him a show-cause notice and asked for a written reply within 48 hours. He was at one stage relieved of his duties, but returned to the role 10 days later.

About 10 months after that episode, Nazmul Islam is now joining a political party's sports organisation. About the new alliance's work, he said they are set to start work for the NCP sports wing, with Fahim as convener and himself as member secretary. Former players and other organisers are also being included, and its scope will gradually expand.

According to Nazmul Islam, the alliance will not work only on cricket. It will discuss and advise on the development of all sports in the country, raise any shortcomings in the sports arena, and sit in dialogue with responsible officials when necessary.

He said they will speak and advise on the development of the sports arena, that their work will cover all sports across the country, not just cricket, and that if they receive funds later they will also work directly on sports development.

The organisation's full goals and action plan will be presented at Monday's launch ceremony, it has been announced.