BCB Launches Inquiry Following Sexual Harassment Allegations by Former Bangladesh Captain
DHAKA – The Bangladesh Cricket Boardโข (BCB) has initiated an investigation after former women’s captain Jahanara Alam publicly โaccused former and current officials of sexualโฃ harassment, stemming from incidents allegedly โคoccurring โฃduring the 2022 Women’s worldโค Cup in South Africa. the allegations center around โinappropriate โคconduct, including โunwanted physical contact, and raise serious questions about the safety and professional environment within Bangladesh cricket.
The 32-year-old pace bowler detailed โคher experiences in a recent โinterview with โฃa YouTube channel, naming former selector and manager โขManjurul Islamโฃ as one of those accused. This case arrives amid a global reckoning regarding athlete safety andโค accountability within sportingโ organizations, and the BCB’s response will be closely โwatched as it seeks to uphold its commitment to a respectful workplace. The board has pledged a swift investigation,with findingsโ expected within 15 โworking days.
Jahanara โคalam alleges that Manjurul Islam “made inappropriate physical contact,” specifically claiming he “often hugged or โคpressed female players to his chest” under the guise of encouragement during the 2022 World Cup. Islam, currently in china, has vehemently โฃdenied the accusations, stating, “You can โคask other girls in the team. This โis all false.”
The allegations extendโ beyond Islam, with Jahanara Alam also naming other BCB officialsโค and stating she had previously reported the incidents to the board without prompting action. Manjurul Islam, โ46, represented Bangladesh โคin 12 Tests and 34 ODIs between 1999 and 2004 before transitioning into coaching and managerial โroles.
Jahanara Alam hasโฃ represented Bangladesh in 135 white-ball matches, capturing 48 wickets in odis andโข 60 in T20s.
The BCB has affirmed its dedication to providing a “safe, respectful, and professional environment” and stated that a committee will deliver its findings within 15 working days. โฃBCB vice-president Shakhawat Hossain emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating, “We have toโ investigateโข this, since it’s a serious matter.”