Miraz expressed disappointment over comments that tarnish players' reputation and earnings.
BCB’s director and finance committee chief M Nazmul Islam has stirred controversy by calling former captain Tamim Iqbal an Indian agent” and asserting that players would take the financial hit if Bangladesh don’t participate in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday (January 15), Bangladesh cricketer Mehidy Hasan Miraz strongly condemned the statement, saying that the comments made by the BCB official have left the dressing room “deeply disappointed”.
“We always say the board is our guardian. When comments like these come from them, it is deeply disappointing for us,” Miraz told reporters.
Miraz also countered a familiar accusation that cricketers live off taxpayers' money. “That’s not how it works at all. The money the board has today is the result of every match played wearing the Bangladesh jersey. It’s earned through the hard work of players. Everyone has a rightful share in it,” he said.
Miraz stressed that the board’s financial strength is directly proportional to cricket continuing to be played and players performing in a way that keeps the sport commercially viable.
“We play ICC tournaments and that's why we are earning money. If cricket doesn’t happen, sponsors won’t come. ICC revenue won’t come either. The board stands where it does today because players go out and play,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has publicly demanded Nazmul’s resignation and warned of a boycott of all matches if the impasse continues.
Sharing his two cents, Miraz suggested that words from the board officials carry extra weight and can bring embarrassment to the entire sporting arena.
“This isn’t just a personal issue. It’s embarrassing for the entire sports arena. I don’t know whether those comments were made knowingly or unknowingly, but from someone in that position, such remarks are simply unacceptable,” he said.
Miraz conceded that criticism comes with the job, while also arguing that accountability should not be from one side only.
“If we don’t perform, we will be criticised. There isn’t a single cricketer who hasn’t faced criticism after poor performance,” he said.
He concluded by dismissing another misconception within the public domain. “No, we earn our money by playing cricket,” he remarked.
With only three weeks remaining for the T20 World Cup 2026, Bangladesh’s participation in the global showpiece continues to remain uncertain.
The Bangla Tigers are scheduled to play their group-stage fixtures in Kolkata and Mumbai. However, the BCB has refused to travel to India, citing securing concerns.
The standoff over Bangladesh traveling to India began when the BCCI instructed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 contract, and the franchise obliged. The Indian board’s move came amid reports of atrocities on minorities in the neighboring country.
In response, the BCB wrote to the ICC and urged the apex body to relocate their T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka, the co-host for the marquee event.