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Bangladesh Cricketers End Boycott, BPL 2025-26 to Resume After Talks

Bangladesh's cricketers have called off their boycott and will return to play in the Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 season following successful talks between the cricket board and the players' welfare association. The dispute was triggered by controversial remarks from BCB director Nazmul Islam, which led players to demand his removal. While Nazmul Islam was relieved of his finance committee duties, he remains a BCB director. As a result of the resolution, the BPL schedule has been revised, with several matches postponed by one day.

Key Points: BPL Resumes After Players End Boycott Over BCB Official's Remarks

  • Boycott ends after BCB-CWAB talks
  • BPL 2025-26 schedule adjusted
  • Dispute sparked by BCB director's remarks
  • Players demanded official's removal
  • Matches rescheduled over two days
2 min read

Bangladesh cricketers end boycott, BPL 2025-26 to resume after BCB-CWAB talks

Bangladesh cricketers end boycott, BPL 2025-26 season to resume after BCB and CWAB talks resolve dispute over Nazmul Islam's comments.

"From Friday, the cricketers will be back on the field - BCB-CWAB Statement"

Dhaka, January 16

Bangladesh's cricketers are set to return to the field for the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 season after a day of boycott following Bangladesh Cricket Board director Nazmul Islam's controversial remarks.

After a tripartite meeting between the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) and the BCB, the current situation has been resolved. From Friday, the cricketers will be back on the field, and as a result, there have been some slight changes to the BPL schedule.

On Wednesday, days after calling ex Bangladesh captain Tamil Iqbal an "Indian agent" for suggesting dialogue between two cricketing nations to resolve the T20 World Cup deadlock after release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from IPL 2026 on instruction of BCCI in light of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh, Nazmul added to his controversial remarks by suggesting that BCB does not owe the team any compensation if the players miss T20 World Cup and pointed to their not winning major trophies.

In response, the players decided to boycott all forms of cricket. They demanded that Nazmul be removed from the BCB. The BCB questioned him about the remarks and relieved him of his duties as head of the finance committee. However, he did not step down from his position as BCB's director. Despite all this, the cricketers ultimately reversed their decision to boycott and agreed to resume playing.

The BPL 2026 matches scheduled for January 15, 2026 (Chattogram Royals vs Noakhali Express and Rajshahi Warriors vs Sylhet Titans), will now be played on Friday, January 16. The matches originally scheduled for January 16 and 17 will be shifted by a day and will be held on January 17 and 18, respectively.

The Eliminator and Qualifier 1, scheduled to be held on January 19, have been shifted to January 20.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Calling a former captain an "Indian agent" is such a low blow and completely uncalled for. Cricket should be about sportsmanship, not dragging geopolitics into every conversation. Glad the players stood up, even if briefly.
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Arjun K
Nazmul Islam's comments were in very poor taste. You can't just label someone an "agent" for suggesting dialogue. That's how diplomacy works! The players showed unity, but seems like the BCB gave a very half-hearted punishment. Just removing him from a committee? 🤔
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Priyanka N
As a cricket fan, I'm just relieved the matches are back on! The schedule shuffle is a small price to pay. The whole episode shows how fragile the relationship between players and boards can be. Hope they focus on the cricket now! 🏏
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Vikram M
The players had a valid point but ultimately caved in. A one-day boycott doesn't send a strong message. If you're going to take a stand, see it through. Now the official remains a director. What was really achieved?
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Michael C
Interesting to see the BCCI's name come up regarding Mustafizur's release. These board-level decisions have huge ripple effects on players' careers and international relations. The "Indian agent" comment was obviously ridiculous, but the underlying tensions are real.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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