The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reacted strongly after national team spinner Nayeem Hasan alleged that he was subjected to harassment and physical assault by local police in Chattogram. The incident reportedly occurred while the 25-year-old was returning home after completing his commitments in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL).
The matter quickly drew widespread attention across Bangladesh’s cricket fraternity, with several current and former cricketers expressing concern over the allegations. The BCB also moved swiftly, issuing an official statement and assuring the player of its full support while calling for appropriate action from the relevant authorities.
BCB issues strong response after Nayeem Hasan’s allegations
Following reports of the incident, the Bangladesh Cricket Board released an official statement expressing deep concern over the treatment allegedly faced by one of its national players. The governing body also strongly condemned the reported conduct towards the spinner and demanded a fair investigation into the matter.
The statement further added that the BCB expects a thorough and impartial investigation while urging the concerned authorities to take appropriate measures against anyone found responsible. BCB president also addressed the issue publicly through a Facebook post, confirming that the board had acted immediately after learning about the incident.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board expresses its deep concern regarding the reported incident involving harassment and abuse of Bangladesh national team cricketer Nayeem Hasan by some law-enforcing agency members in Chattogram on Friday evening,” the board said in its statement. The board strongly condemns the unacceptable and inappropriate conduct displayed towards the player and views the matter with the utmost seriousness. Such treatment of a national athlete is deeply regrettable and warrants immediate attention. Whatever happened with Nayeem Hasan last night is not acceptable. After Nayeem called me last night, the other board officials and I have tried to do whatever we could to help him. We are speaking to everyone concerned, and have been in close touch with Nayeem and his family, too. The BCB has issued a statement condemning the incident, and whatever needs to be done from here on will also be done by the board. We are always with Nayeem and other cricketers,” Tamim Iqbal issued a statement on Facebook.
Nayeem Hasan details alleged assault in Chattogram
According to reports, Nayeem was travelling in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw near the Lalkhan Bazar area of Chattogram when police officers stopped the vehicle. The off-spinner later alleged that the officers behaved aggressively and refused to listen despite repeated attempts to identify himself.
“I repeatedly told them who I was, but they refused to listen. police beat me indiscriminately with sticks and plastic pipes. Later, when I identified myself at the police station, the officer-in-charge told me to keep my eyes down while speaking. If they were really police officers, why did they try to put me into a CNG instead of a police vehicle? I want a fair investigation and justice over the entire incident,” Nayeem said.
The spinner was eventually released after his identity as a Bangladesh national cricketer was confirmed. He later returned home in the early hours of Saturday.
