Tamim Iqbal ‘Indian Agent’ Remark Triggers Storm in Bangladesh

A fresh controversy has rocked Bangladesh cricket after BCB finance committee chairman M Nazmul Islam branded former captain Tamim Iqbal an “Indian agent”, sparking outrage across the cricketing fraternity and social media.

Tamim’s World Cup stance ignites political cricket firestorm

The flashpoint came after Tamim Iqbal suggested the Bangladesh Cricket Board should put cricket first before taking a final call on participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in India. His comments followed the BCB’s decision to consider skipping the event over security concerns, a move that arrived soon after the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL.

In a fiery Facebook post, M Nazmul Islam alleged that Tamim’s stance exposed him as an “Indian agent”, language that instantly went viral and has been widely condemned as deeply irresponsible in such a charged India–Bangladesh context. Screenshots of the post flooded social platforms, with fans and former players questioning how a senior board official could publicly target one of the country’s modern greats.

The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has already written to the BCB president, demanding action and a clarification from the board. For Indian fans used to board vs player flashpoints around the IPL, this saga feels uncomfortably familiar, but the stakes here go beyond franchise vs country – they touch on national identity, regional politics, and the emotional pull of a World Cup.

How the BCB defuses this row, and whether Tamim Iqbal is given a public apology or further alienated, could shape not just Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup plans but also the trust between players and administrators for years to come.