The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has swiftly launched a formal investigation into explosive sexual harassment allegations leveled by former women’s team captain Jahanara Alam against senior officials, reaffirming its strict zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. The 32-year-old pacer, now residing in Australia on an indefinite mental health break, detailed a series of disturbing incidents in a candid interview with journalist Riasat Azim on his YouTube channel, sparking outrage across the cricketing world.
Alam, who boasts an impressive record of 48 ODI wickets and 60 T20I scalps across 135 white-ball appearances, alleged that the harassment began in 2021 and intensified during the 2022 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand. She accused former selector and team manager Manjurul Islam of making indecent proposals, asking invasive questions like “How many days is your period running today?” and engaging in unwanted physical contact under the guise of health checks. Alam further implicated the late Towhid Mahmud, who allegedly propositioned her via BCB coordinator Sarfaraz Babu, and claimed other unnamed officials contributed to a toxic environment. These experiences, she said, inflicted severe emotional trauma, leading to her abrupt retirement from international cricket and previous ignored complaints to BCB executives, including CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury and women’s wing head Shafiul Islam Nadel.
Manjurul Islam, currently abroad in China, vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them “baseless” and challenging Alam to provide evidence. “You can ask other cricketers whether I was good or bad,” he told reporters. Babu echoed this, calling the claims “made-up stories” and defending the late Mahmud. This scandal follows Alam’s recent accusations against captain Nigar Sultana for physically abusing juniors, which the BCB dismissed as unfounded, intensifying scrutiny on the women’s setup.
In response, BCB President Aminul Islam emphasized transparency and accountability: “Zero tolerance—no one will be spared, not even me if proven guilty.” The board has formed an independent committee, directed to deliver findings within 15 working days, with potential involvement from government law enforcement. Pending the probe, four women’s cricket officials—manager SM Golam Faiyaz, physio Suraiya Akter, coach Mahmud Emon, and Sarfaraz Babu—have been placed on special duty. Women’s wing chairman Abdur Razzak pledged a thorough, sincere inquiry to restore trust.
The allegations have ignited a broader conversation on player welfare, with the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) demanding swift justice and systemic reforms. Sports advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain affirmed government support for Alam, vowing punishment for any culprits. As former players voice similar grievances, this probe could reshape Bangladesh women’s cricket, underscoring the urgent need for safer spaces in the sport. Fans and advocates worldwide await the committee’s report, hoping it marks a turning point against harassment.
