Bangladesh’s professional cricketers have reportedly made their stance clear in the ongoing boycott, stating they will return to competitive cricket only if former BCB chairman Nazmul Islam issues a public apology for his remarks about players.

As per a report by ESPNcricinfo, the players released a statement on Thursday, January 15, escalating tensions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The fallout has already disrupted domestic cricket, with several matches in the Bangladesh Premier League and Dhaka Premier League being called off.

Although the BCB has removed Islam from his post as chairman, the cricketers are seeking stronger action, demanding that he also be removed as a board director. The report adds that Islam was willing to apologise only in a private meeting, a proposal the players rejected, further intensifying the standoff.

The boycott is being spearheaded by Mohammad Mithun, president of the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB). After discussions with the BCB, CWAB issued a statement saying players are ready to resume BPL matches from Friday if a public apology is made and due process to remove Islam as director is initiated.

CWAB also welcomed Islam’s removal from the board’s finance committee, but stressed that a public apology remains non-negotiable. With negotiations ongoing, the future of domestic cricket in Bangladesh continues to hinge on whether the former official meets the players’ demand.