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Tamim Iqbal and the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh were among others who expressed grave concerns and demanded a probe, while the sports advisor said the responsible would face full consequences following sexual harassment allegations made by former national women’s team captain Jahanara Alam.

The BCB, meanwhile, on Thursday, formed a probe committee and said that they would submit the findings and recommendations within 15 working days. 

‘The Bangladesh Cricket Board has noted with concern the allegations reported in the media made by a former member of the Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket Team regarding alleged misconduct by certain individuals associated with the team,’ stated the BCB in a press release.

‘The BCB is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all its players and personnel. The Board takes such matters with utmost seriousness and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation,’ it added. 

Advisor for youth and sports of Bangladesh, Asif Mahmud, said that the government would treat the matter with the utmost seriousness and ensure justice if the allegations were proven true.

‘Ensuring the safety of women in sports and other areas is our top priority,’ Asif told the reporters on Friday. 

‘I have watched Jahanara’s interview and spoken with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Their investigation committee will submit its report soon. We will also speak directly with Jahanara, and if she wishes to take legal action, the government will handle it with full gravity,’ he added. 

Describing the allegations as a criminal offence, Asif said that they would not ‘tolerate any form of harassment or abuse in sports.’ ‘Those responsible will face consequences,’ he added. 

The current and former players also raised their voices and demanded actions after Jahanara’s allegations. 

‘Each of Jahanara Alam’s allegations is grave and must not be dismissed,’ said Mohammad Mithun, the president of CWAB, in a letter sent to the BCB. 

Mithun said that Jahanara’s emotional account had deeply disturbed the cricket fraternity. 

‘The BCB should carry out a swift and transparent investigation involving all individuals mentioned—the team manager, selector, former in-charge, and coach. Any delay or effort to suppress the matter would be unacceptable,’ he said. 

CWAB also called for a confidential probe to identify if similar incidents have been taking place in domestic or grassroots-level women’s cricket. 

‘Our support for Jahanara extends beyond sympathy. We stand firmly beside her and will provide every possible form of help in her pursuit of justice,’ said Mithun. 

Former national team captain Tamim said that an independent inquiry should be conducted outside the jurisdiction of the BCB. 

‘These allegations are extremely serious and, if proven true, completely unacceptable,’ said Tamim in a Facebook post. ‘Such conduct cannot be tolerated—not against a national player, an athlete from another sport, or any woman.’

Insisting that a separate investigation under the National Sports Council should be held, Tamim said, ‘No BCB representative should be on the panel to avoid even the perception of bias.’

Tamim also urged other female athletes to speak up if they have faced similar experiences. ‘You will find me and many others standing beside you,’ he said. 

Former national team captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza also raised his voice, saying that the BCB should look into the matter with importance for the sake of cricket in Bangladesh. 

Jahanara, who played 135 international matches for Bangladesh, accused former selector and team manager Manjurul Islam Manju and other officials, including a former in-charge of the women’s wing of the BCB, of sexual harassment and mental abuse.

She also claimed that Manjurul asked her lewd questions.

Jahanara, who currently resides in Australia, has recently also accused the current national team captain, Nigar Sultana, of physically abusing her teammates in an earlier interview. BCB, however, refuted, saying that those claims were ‘baseless, fabricated and devoid of any truth.’