Bangladeshi cricket is facing turmoil as players express feelings of betrayal following the reinstatement of a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official who previously made disparaging remarks against former captain Tamim Iqbal. M. Nazmul Islam, the BCB's finance committee chief, had labeled Iqbal an "Indian agent" in a social media post that has since been deleted. This incident has further strained the relationship between the players and the board, particularly in light of Bangladesh's recent dismissal from the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The controversy began when Iqbal advised the BCB to engage in diplomatic discussions regarding the team's participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup hosted by India. Islam responded by publicly branding the veteran cricketer an "Indian agent," a term that the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has strongly condemned. The CWAB submitted a protest letter to the BCB President, expressing "outrage and shock" at the "utterly condemnable" remark against "the most successful opener in our history".

Following the public outcry and reported threats of boycotts from players, Islam was initially removed from his position as finance committee chairman. However, in a dramatic turn of events, he was reinstated shortly after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Bangladesh's removal from the T20 World Cup. This decision has sparked widespread criticism and fueled the sentiment that the BCB is not prioritizing the interests and সম্মান of its players.

Islam has defended his actions, stating that his comments were intended for a private audience and reflected his personal frustration with Iqbal's public statements. He claimed that Iqbal's views mirrored external interests rather than national ones and that his remarks were prompted by Iqbal's comments aligning with "India's propaganda". He added that it was a personal view, and it would have been directed to anyone with similar comments.

The BCB has officially distanced itself from Islam's comments, but the reinstatement has done little to quell the unrest within the team. Players feel that the board's actions undermine their integrity and commitment to Bangladeshi cricket. This incident has further polarized the Bangladesh cricket fraternity, exacerbating existing tensions related to security issues and the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League.

The situation has drawn attention to the power dynamics between the players and the BCB, with many current national stars, who rarely speak out against board hierarchy for fear of contract repercussions, publicly rebuking the board director. The controversy has even threatened to disrupt the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), with reports suggesting that players considered boycotting matches unless the board took immediate action. The first BPL match was delayed after both teams did not arrive at the venue for the toss.

The reinstatement of Islam has been viewed as a betrayal by many players, who feel that the BCB is prioritizing internal politics over the welfare and respect of its cricketers. This incident could have long-lasting consequences for Bangladeshi cricket, potentially affecting team morale, player performance, and the overall relationship between the board and its players.