Sports Desk:

The Bangladesh Premier League has been suspended indefinitely after players boycotted matches to press a set of demands, including the removal of a senior cricket board official. BCB Director Ifthekhar Mithu confirmed the decision on Thursday evening after a day of disrupted fixtures.

The crisis was triggered by controversial remarks by BCB director and finance committee chairman M Najmul Islam. In response, players issued an ultimatum on Wednesday night demanding his removal.

When Najmul Islam was not removed within 24 hours, players refused to take the field for the afternoon match between Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals, forcing its abandonment.

The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh, representing the players, then held a press conference in Banani outlining five core demands.

CWAB president Mohammad Mithun, joined by senior players including Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, set out the demands.

The demands include resolving a dispute in Dhaka first–class cricket, taking a clear position on sexual harassment allegations in women’s cricket, securing the resignation of Director M Najmul Islam, and improving facilities for women cricketers.

“We are doing this helplessly, out of compulsion,” the CWAB president said. “We are not against playing. But everything has a limit. Everyone has been insulted by this. He (Najmul) has insulted every sector. He has no respect for cricket. We want to play, but only if our demands are met.”

Cricketer Nurul Hasan Sohan added, “Everyone is ready to play. No one is against playing, but only once the demands are met.”

Faced with the players’ firm stance, the BCB held a virtual meeting and stripped Najmul Islam of his duties on the finance committee and other roles. However, the players said he must also be removed as a BCB director. They maintained the boycott and both matches scheduled for the day were abandoned.