Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team Faces Sexual Harassment Scandal: Former Selector Questioned Jahanara Alam About Her Periods, BCB Forms Investigation Committee
The Bangladesh women’s cricket team has been hit by serious sexual harassment allegations made by senior pacer Jahanara Alam. The accusations involve former national selector Manjurul Islam, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has now set up a special investigation committee to look into the matter.
🔹 What Are the Allegations?
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Jahanara Alam, one of Bangladesh’s most experienced players, revealed that Manjurul Islam, during the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup, made several inappropriate comments and advances toward her and other players.
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She claimed that the selector once asked her about her menstrual periods, a question she described as “highly personal and unacceptable.”
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According to Jahanara, the former selector and some team officials behaved in an unprofessional manner — such as getting physically too close, touching shoulders unnecessarily, and whispering into players’ ears during camps.
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She further stated that she had informed senior BCB officials multiple times about this behavior, but no action was taken at that time.
🔹 BCB’s Response and Investigation
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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has described the allegations as “serious and sensitive.”
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A special inquiry committee has been formed to investigate, with instructions to submit a report within 15 working days.
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The Women’s Wing of the BCB may also involve independent agencies to ensure a fair and transparent process.
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Meanwhile, Manjurul Islam has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless and defamatory.”
🔹 Previous Tensions in the Team
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This is not the first time that issues have been raised about the Bangladesh women’s cricket environment.
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Earlier, Jahanara also accused team captain Nigar Sultana of mistreating junior players — allegedly slapping one of them during practice.
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Former Bangladesh men’s team captain Tamim Iqbal reacted to Jahanara’s recent statements, saying, “These allegations are very serious. If true, they cannot be tolerated. The probe should be free from BCB influence.”
🔹 Why It Matters
The case has sparked widespread discussion about women’s safety and respect in sports environments. Many believe this controversy could become a turning point for how female athletes are treated within cricket institutions in Bangladesh.
The outcome of the investigation will be crucial — not only for Jahanara Alam and her teammates but also for setting a precedent for accountability and professionalism in women’s cricket.
