CWAB demands immediate resignation of finance committee chairman Najmul Islam

The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh said on Wednesday that Bangladesh's professional cricketers would refuse to play if BCB finance committee chairman Najmul Islam does not resign before the next BPL game on Thursday (January 15).

The announcement came hours after Najmul insulted the cricketers, stating that only the players stood to lose out if Bangladesh didn't play the T20 World Cup and that the BCB wouldn't compensate the players for the earning loss.

The CWAB ultimatum was announced on Wednesday night during an emergency online press conference, where president Mohammad Mithun voiced cricketers' outrage over Najmul's recent dehumanizing remarks.

"The words that the board director has used about the players are completely unacceptable to the players. It has deeply hurt the entire body of cricketers," Mithun said.

"We have even given the board a lot of time on the First Division, and still we haven't seen any positive result. And the words that this board director is repeatedly using have deeply hurt the entire cricket community, and the players are in no way willing to accept this."

"So if he does not resign before tomorrow's match, then from tomorrow onward we are announcing a boycott of all cricket activities," Mithun declared.

Sensing the looming strike, the BCB had released a formal statement shortly before Mithun spoke, expressing "sincere regret for remarks that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful."

The board clarified that Najmul's comments do not reflect the board's official position, stating they "should not be interpreted as representing the views or policies of the board."

The BCB further pledged "appropriate disciplinary action" against conduct that shows disrespect toward cricketers, reaffirming that "players remain at the heart of Bangladesh cricket."