The Bangladesh Cricket Board has barred former national fast bowler Manjurul Islam from all cricket-related roles under its authority after an independent inquiry concluded that parts of his conduct amounted to misconduct and harassment, following a complaint by a senior women’s cricketer.
The decision was taken after the board’s Independent Inquiry Committee completed its investigation into allegations raised by former Bangladesh women’s team captain Jahanara Alam. The complaint was related to an incident during the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup, when Manjurul was serving as the team’s chief selector and manager.
In an interview in November last year, Jahanara alleged that Manjurul had behaved inappropriately towards her, including asking lewd questions. She also claimed that a couple of BCB officials had acted inappropriately during the same period.
Following a board directors’ meeting on February 22, the BCB formally confirmed the ban, which applies to all direct and indirect involvement in cricket activities under its jurisdiction. Manjurul is currently employed as the China women’s team head coach.
“Based on the findings of the Independent Inquiry Committee formed by the BCB to examine the complaint lodged by former Bangladesh women’s national team captain Jahanara Alam, the board has decided to impose a ban on former national cricketer Monjurul Islam from all forms of direct or indirect employment and/or cricket-related activities under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” the BCB said in a statement.
“The BCB is reviewing the recommendations of the Committee and will take any additional measures deemed necessary in light of the report.”
The inquiry committee was constituted on November 7 and was chaired by Justice Tariq Ul Hakim. Other members included Dr Naima Huq, barrister Muhammed Mustafizur Rahman Khan, barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla and BCB director Rubaba Dowla. The committee submitted its report on January 31, which was formally handed over to BCB president Aminul Islam on February 2.
According to a BCB release dated February 4, the committee examined four specific allegations made by Jahanara. Two of these allegations were not supported by the available evidence. However, the remaining two were found to have prima facie merit.
“Two of these allegations were not substantiated by the available evidence. With regard to the remaining two allegations, the [inquiry] committee found prima facie evidence of inappropriate conduct by the then selector and manager of the Bangladesh women’s team, Md Monjurul Islam, whose contractual tenure with the BCB ended on 30 June 2025.
“The Committee noted behaviour inconsistent with professional standards, and observed that certain actions fell within the definition of misconduct and harassment under the applicable guidelines of the Supreme Court.”
The BCB had earlier denied Jahanara’s claims that Bangladesh’s current captain Nigar Sultana had physically assaulted teammates, a matter separate from the inquiry into Manjurul’s conduct. The board also extended the committee’s deadline multiple times over the past four months to complete the investigation.
With this decision, the BCB has taken its strongest disciplinary action yet in response to the findings, while stating that further measures may still follow depending on the committee’s recommendations.
