In a shocking development in Dhaka, Bangladesh Women right-arm seamer Jahanara Alam accused captain Nigar Sultana Joty of physically assaulting junior players. In an interview with a leading Bangladeshi newspaper, the 32-year-old right-arm bowler made a series of allegations, claiming the team set-up was toxic. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reportedly had rejected these allegations, calling them “baseless and unfortunate.”
Jahanara Alam said that Nigar Sultana has made it a habit of physically assaulting junior players. According to Alam, the captain is a serial offender, who terrorises upcoming players in the national team set-up. She also made allegations against the coaching staff as well as the team management, news reports said. She has not played for Bangladesh since the series against Ireland in December last year.
What did Jahanara Alam say about Nigar Sultana?
“This is not something new. Joty has beaten juniors many times. During the World Cup, juniors told me, ‘No, I will not do that again. I will get slapped again.’ I heard some say, ‘I was beaten yesterday.’ Even during the Dubai tour, she slapped a junior after calling her into her room,” Jan Satta quoted Alam as saying. She made the claims during an interaction with the Bangladeshi newspaper Kaler Kantho, the report said.
She went on to add that fellow senior bowler Nahida Akter and all-rounder Ritu Moni had conspired with Joty to oust her from the national team.
BCB denies allegations
“The board clearly and strongly denies these allegations, which are baseless, fabricated, and devoid of truth. It is unfortunate that such insulting and defamatory claims are being made at a time when the Bangladesh women’s team is showing commendable progress and unity at the international level.”
The board further described the comments as “deliberate and malicious,” stating, “It is deeply disappointing that such misleading statements have been made publicly by someone who is no longer involved or relevant to the plans of Bangladesh cricket.”
Sultana breaks silence
The Bangladesh captain came up with a response for her teammate via Facebook. Here is what she wrote on Wednesday afternoon: "Just because I’m not saying anything doesn’t mean I can’t speak, or that there’s nothing to say! This team belongs to all of us. It’s painful to see so many negative statements, personal grudges, anger, and harsh language when the team is actually going through its best phase,” Joty said in a post on Facebook. “I’m really surprised because many of those making such comments once loved and protected this team, helped build it up, and witnessed both its triumphs and failures! When someone is dropped from the team or goes out of form, and a new option replaces them, suddenly everything about the team — its people, its environment — starts to seem bad to them! Respect goes to those who have continued to trust this team and its members! Even if spreading rumours brings temporary attention, I hope it won’t work even if you come to discuss temporarily spreading rumours."
