Bangladesh Cricketers’ Welfare Association (BCWA) President, Mohammad Mithun, has reportedly received a series of threatening phone calls from an unknown number, with messages escalating to threats of murder and abduction. The alarming calls, which intensified after 9:00 pm on Thursday, have raised serious concerns among players and cricket officials alike.
Speaking on the matter, Mithun said, “Since Thursday night, the threats have become increasingly severe. We have never spoken against our country, yet these threats continue. As cricketers, we have only raised our legitimate concerns and defended our rights. Is that considered a crime?”
The threats follow a turbulent week in Bangladesh cricket. On Wednesday night, the BCWA issued an ultimatum demanding the resignation of BCB Director M. Nazmul Islam after he made controversial remarks regarding players. The association even threatened to boycott the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) matches if their demands were not met.
When Nazmul failed to resign within the stipulated timeframe, players went ahead with a match boycott on Thursday. In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) convened an online meeting where they retained Nazmul in his director position but relieved him of his duties as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Despite this partial concession, the players initially refused to return to the field.
In an effort to resolve the impasse, BCB officials held discussions with representatives of the BPL franchises on Thursday evening, followed by a separate meeting with the players. These negotiations ultimately led to the announcement that the BPL would commence as scheduled.
The unfolding events underscore mounting tensions between cricket administrators and players, raising questions about governance, player welfare, and security measures.
Timeline of Key Events:
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday night | BCWA demands resignation of BCB Director M. Nazmul Islam; threatens BPL boycott |
| Thursday, 9:00 pm | Mithun receives escalating threats from unknown caller |
| Thursday | Players boycott BPL match due to non-resignation of director |
| Thursday | BCB holds online meeting; Nazmul retains director post, removed from Finance Committee |
| Thursday evening | BCB meets BPL franchise representatives |
| Thursday evening | BCB negotiates with players; BPL announced to start as planned |
The incident has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the delicate balance between player rights and administrative authority in Bangladesh cricket. Meanwhile, security and support measures for Mithun are reportedly being strengthened in light of the threats.