Journalists covering the Adommo T20 Cup staged a boycott of the tournament’s final match in a protest against threats issued by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over media coverage. The decision follows a recent incident in which a photojournalist from a leading national English-language daily received an email warning of accreditation cancellation after taking photographs inside the BCB President’s Box.
The controversy began on 6 February, the second day of the Adommo Cup. During the match, Daily Sun photojournalist Tanvin Tamim photographed three BCB directors — Faruk Ahmed, Khaled Masud Pilot, and M Nazmul — while they were seated in the President’s Box. The resulting image, accompanied by a caption, appeared to suggest tension between Nazmul and the other two directors. Upon publication, the photo attracted significant attention on social media and sparked public discussion about board dynamics.
The BCB responded unfavourably to the publication. On 7 February, the day after the photo appeared, the board issued an email to the journalist, warning that their accreditation could be revoked if they continued to take such photographs, and instructing them to refrain from similar coverage in the future. Journalists interpreted this as an attempt to suppress independent reporting and limit media freedom.
In response, sports journalists convened a brief meeting on 9 February, ahead of the final match, and decided to boycott the event. Before the match began, they displayed a banner on the roof of the press box declaring their protest. The banner read:
“Journalism is not a crime. We are sports journalists. Do not try to silence us.”
Summary of Key Events:
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6 February | Photograph taken | Three BCB directors photographed by Daily Sun photojournalist |
| 7 February | Threat issued | Journalist receives email warning of accreditation cancellation |
| 9 February | Final match boycott | Journalists protest with banner and refuse to cover the final match |
Observers say the incident highlights ongoing tensions between media freedom and cricket administration. By choosing to boycott the final, journalists have underscored the importance of independent reporting and the need for a safe environment in which sports media can operate without fear of reprisal.
The empty press box at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium symbolised the protest vividly, prompting widespread discussion in sports circles and on social media. Analysts argue that the BCB must now engage constructively with journalists to restore trust and ensure that media representatives can cover cricket events freely and transparently.
The Adommo Cup incident may serve as a precedent for how sports boards interact with the press, particularly in high-profile tournaments where journalistic independence is essential for transparency and public accountability.