After Bangladesh cricket great Tamim Iqbal raised concerns over the Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to have its T20 World Cup 2026 games outside India, he has been called a "proven Indian agent".
The harsh attack against the former opening batter was made by M. Najmul Islam, a prominent member of the BCB Board of Directors. Infuriated by the 36-year-old's remarks, Najmul Islam reportedly wrote on social media, "Eibar aaro ekjon porikkhito Bharatiya dalaal er aatyoprokash Banglar jonogon duchokh bhore dekhlo (This time, the people of Bengal have witnessed the self-expression of another proven Indian agent)."
Tamim Iqbal had opined that the BCB should try to resolve issues through dialogue if possible, as Bangladesh cricket's future should always be the first priority. "90 to 95 per cent of Bangladesh cricket's finances come from the ICC," he reminded. He was also critical of the daily statements that have been coming from the BCB and the Bangladesh government. "After taking a final decision and completing internal discussions, that decision should then be communicated publicly. If you announce every step publicly, it creates unnecessary uncertainty, which is what has happened now," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
"If a decision changes tomorrow, or a week later, and becomes something else, then how will you explain your initial comment? Whatever the final decision is, I only hope that Bangladesh cricket's interests are prioritised above everything else, and that the future of Bangladesh cricket is carefully considered before taking that decision," he asked.
Bangladesh have expressed reluctance to tour India for the event starting on 7 February and want their matches to be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. This followed the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on the instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons, amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The World Cup gets underway on 7 February, and Bangladesh are scheduled to play four games (three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai).
ALSO READ:
- Who is Yasin Arafat? Main accused in Dipu Chandra Das lynching is an ex-madrasa teacher
- 'Not at the cost of national humiliation': Bangladesh on playing T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India
- T20 World Cup 2026: What will Bangladesh do next? ICC rejects BCB’s request to shift matches out of India
- WATCH | Bangladesh attacks: Dead body of 25-year-old Hindu man Mithun Sarkar found in canal; here is why
Bangladesh's sports ministry advisor, Asif Nazrul, has taken a hard-line position on the change of venue, citing national pride and reflecting a rising anti-India sentiment in government corridors. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has mostly seconded this view, amid murmurs that the Aminul Islam Bulbul-led BCB is not fully aligned with that approach.
As of now, the ICC has given no indication that it would shift Bangladesh's venues from Kolkata and Mumbai to Colombo.
What did Tamim Iqbal say?
"The situation is a bit critical at the moment, and making a sudden comment right now is difficult. But one thing you must keep in mind is that many issues can often be resolved through dialogue if everyone comes together. You have to consider where Bangladesh stands in world cricket and what the future of Bangladesh cricket could be, and then make decisions accordingly. We consider the Bangladesh Cricket Board an independent body. Of course, the government plays a very big role, and discussions with the government are necessary. But if we consider the BCB an independent body, then it must also have the authority to make its own decisions."
"If the board feels a certain decision is right, then it should take that decision. Public opinion will always vary. When we play, spectators say many things driven by emotion. But if you start making decisions based on all that, you cannot run such a big organisation. Today's decisions will have an impact ten years down the line, so decisions should be taken by considering what is best for Bangladesh cricket and for Bangladeshi players—that is what I personally believe."
"After taking a final decision and completing internal discussions, that decision should then be communicated publicly. If you announce every step publicly, it creates unnecessary uncertainty, which is what has happened now... If a decision changes tomorrow, or a week later, and becomes something else, then how will you explain your initial comment? Whatever the final decision is, I only hope that Bangladesh cricket's interests are prioritised above everything else, and that the future of Bangladesh cricket is carefully considered before taking that decision."
