BCB bans women’s team selector Manjurul Islam over ‘sexually harassing’ Jahanara

The former national pacer has been barred from all BCB activities following an independent investigation into allegations

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has barred Manjurul Islam from all forms of cricketing activity under its jurisdiction following allegations of sexual harassment made by former women’s team captain Jahanara Alam.

The decision comes after the board reviewed recommendations from an independent investigation committee.

On Feb 4, the BCB said the committee found preliminary evidence supporting two of the four specific allegations raised by Jahanara.

The BCB said:

• “Based on the independent investigation into allegations filed by Jahanara Alam, the board has decided to bar former national player Manjurul Islam from all direct or indirect employment and cricket-related activities under BCB.”
• “The board is reviewing the committee’s recommendations and may take further action if deemed necessary.”

Jahanara first made the allegations in November during an interview on freelance sports journalist Riasad Azim’s YouTube channel.

She claimed that while the 2022 World Cup was under way in New Zealand, then-selector and team manager Manjurul had made unsolicited sexual advances toward her.

She also accused Manjurul of repeated mental harassment, sexual misconduct, and inappropriate behaviour upon refusal.

She made similar allegations against the late Towhid Mahmood, former in-charge of women’s cricket and once personal assistant to ex-BCB president Nazmul Hassan.

Jahanara also lodged complaints against several members of the team management and board, saying that despite informing the women’s cricket chairman at the time, Shafiul Islam Chowdhury, on multiple occasions, no proper action was taken, and only temporary solutions were applied.

She also submitted detailed written complaints to BCB’s chief executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury but said no action followed.

Two days after the allegations surfaced, the BCB formed a three-member investigation committee, later expanded by two more members and asked to submit a report within 15 days.

Jahanara, then in Australia, requested more time and was told to submit her formal complaint by Dec 20.

After submitting her written complaint, the committee was instructed to submit its report by Jan 31, which it did on Feb 2. Three weeks later, the board announced disciplinary action.

The BCB has not disclosed any information on the other individuals named in her complaint.

Jahanara played 52 ODIs and 83 T20Is for Bangladesh and remains the country’s most successful female pacer.

Her last international appearance was in December 2024. She now resides in Australia, playing club cricket in Sydney while completing coaching courses.

Manjurul represented Bangladesh in 17 Tests and 34 ODIs.

After retiring, he took up coaching, served for years in the BCB coaching system, and later became a selector and manager of the women’s team.