Towhid Hridoy suspension sparks controversy as Tamim Iqbal criticizes BCB decisions
At the centre of the outrage is the questionable one-match punishment that was handed down to Towhid Hridoy, a key player for Mohammedan. When Tamim voiced the players' concerns about the uneven and badly handled decision-making process at the BCB, he was expressing their extreme disagreement with the renewal of the ban.

Khan Mutasim Billah LifeEditor
Posted - 2025-04-25T19:00:00+06:00
Updated - 2025-04-25T19:16:04+06:00
In his first interview with the media following a heart attack, former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal spoke frankly about the growing tensions between players and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). When Mohammedan Sporting Club players, including Tamim, gathered together to express their growing discontent following a contentious meeting with BCB executives, the gathering became an emotional occasion.
At the centre of the outrage is the questionable one-match punishment that was handed down to Towhid Hridoy, a key player for Mohammedan. When Tamim voiced the players' concerns about the uneven and badly handled decision-making process at the BCB, he was expressing their extreme disagreement with the renewal of the ban.
The fight started during the April 12 Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match between Abahani Limited and Mohammedan SC. Hridoy got into a heated argument with Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (Saikat), a top ICC panel umpire. Hridoy also made a rude comment after the game, saying, "If he is an international umpire, I am an international cricketer too." At first, this behaviour got him suspended for two games for not respecting the match officials.
But things took a sudden turn when the BCB's umpiring department, which didn't have the right to do so, cut the ban down to just one match, even though the DPL's technical committee had turned down the appeal. This move was not allowed, and umpire Saikat spoke out against it. He even offered to quit out of anger.
Saikat finally took back his retirement after the umpiring body admitted they were wrong, but Hridoy was still suspended for one match. This back-and-forth and flaw in the rules is what has made players on other DPL teams, as well as Mohammedan players, angry.
Tamim also didn't like how players accused of match-fixing in both the DPL and the BPL were made public before the tournaments were over. He stressed how important it is to follow the rules and be fair, especially when a player's job and image are on the line.
In the end, Tamim said that he hoped BCB would cancel Hridoy's new ban and make sure that future disciplinary processes are clear and fair.