Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has opened a formal investigation into sexual harassment allegations raised by former national women’s team captain Jahanara Alam against former selector and team manager Manjurul Islam. The move follows Alam’s detailed public disclosures during a recent interview, which brought renewed attention to the adequacy of institutional safeguards within Bangladesh’s cricket administration. The development marks a significant moment for the country’s sports governance, as the allegations involve a senior official who held multiple responsibilities within the women’s cricket setup during that period.
According to Alam, the alleged misconduct occurred during the 2022 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in South Africa. At the time, Alam was an established member of the squad, having represented Bangladesh in more than 135 international fixtures. Manjurul Islam, then functioning as both selector and team manager, is accused of engaging in inappropriate physical contact and making advances toward her. In an interview on the Riasat Azim YouTube channel, Alam described several instances in which she says Islam behaved in ways she considered inappropriate. She alleged that he hugged female players without consent and pulled them close under the pretext of offering encouragement. She further claimed that she received repeated indecent proposals and experienced professional repercussions when she did not comply. Alam stated that the circumstances surrounding her employment made it difficult to raise objections at the time. She also referred to past experiences involving other officials, including the late Towhid Mahmud, which she connected to a broader pattern of behavior within the team environment.
Responding from China, where he is currently based, Manjurul Islam categorically rejected the accusations. Calling them “baseless,” he said his conduct had been misinterpreted and encouraged others to speak to players who worked with him. Islam maintained that none of the allegations reflected the reality of his interactions with team members.
BCB Sets Up Time-Bound Inquiry Committee
On November 7, 2025, the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced the creation of a special inquiry committee tasked with reviewing the claims. The committee has been instructed to complete its work and submit a report within 15 working days. According to the BCB, the panel will interview individuals connected to the 2022 World Cup campaign, examine management protocols that were in place at the time, and determine whether any provisions of the BCB’s Code of Conduct or national regulations were violated.
A BCB spokesperson stated that the board considers the allegations serious and intends to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. The board reiterated its position that player safety and workplace integrity are essential components of its operational framework.
Legal analysts note that Bangladesh’s Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Guidelines (2009) define unwelcome physical contact, verbal propositions, or behavior that creates a hostile environment as actionable misconduct. If the committee finds sufficient evidence supporting Alam’s account, disciplinary measures could include suspension or disqualification from cricket administration. Additionally, the findings may lead to proceedings under Sections 509 and 354 of the Penal Code, which address acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman and assault involving criminal force.
Wider Focus on Institutional Accountability and Athlete Safety
The case has renewed scrutiny of how sports bodies in Bangladesh handle complaints of misconduct, particularly those involving senior officials. Alam’s decision to speak publicly comes while she is on a mental health break, drawing attention to the challenges female athletes often face when reporting harassment. With 48 ODI wickets and 60 T20I wickets, Alam is among the most experienced fast bowlers in the country’s women’s cricket history. Her allegations include references to behavioral concerns involving more than one official, raising questions about whether systematic oversight lapses may have occurred in earlier years.
The BCB has not indicated whether additional officials will be evaluated as part of the current process. However, the board has reaffirmed its stated zero-tolerance stance on harassment. Under its internal guidelines, team management and support staff are required to undergo gender sensitivity training. Whether those requirements were consistently implemented or monitored remains an area observers expect the inquiry to review.
As the investigation proceeds, sports administrators, legal professionals, and athlete advocacy groups in Bangladesh are tracking developments closely. The findings are expected to influence how future allegations are handled, shaping policies related to reporting mechanisms, safeguarding procedures, and accountability measures within national sports institutions. The outcome of the inquiry may also determine whether additional reviews of the women’s cricket program become necessary. For now, the BCB maintains that due process will be followed and the committee will be given full authority to examine the claims within the stipulated timeframe.
