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Published : 13 Jun 2026, 11:56 AM
Bangladesh's cricket fraternity has united in outrage after national team spinner Nayeem Hasan alleged he was assaulted and harassed by individuals identifying themselves as detectives in Chattogram.
The incident has prompted calls for justice and accountability from leading cricketers, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Cricketers' Welfare Association (CWAB) on Saturday.
Nayeem, a regular member of Bangladesh's Test side, said the incident occurred late in the night after he returned to his hometown following the final round of the Dhaka Premier League.
Speaking to journalists, the offspinner said he had been due to fly to Chattogram at 9:40pm but reached the city around 10:20pm after a flight delay.
He then reportedly took an autorickshaw from the airport. Around 11:25pm, after the vehicle exited the expressway near Lalkhan Bazar, a police officer signalled it to stop.
According to Nayeem, men identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB) seized the driver's documents.
He told them they could check his bag, but was ordered to get into their vehicle instead.
He was then ordered out of the vehicle and allegedly pushed by the neck while officers attempted to force him into a police vehicle.
Nayeem said he identified himself as a Bangladesh national cricketer and showed his identity card.
Despite that, he alleged he was struck with a baton, while a man in plain clothes accompanying the police beat him with a pipe.
The plainclothes individual gave no identification, the cricketer said.
Nayeem said officers also tried to snatch his mobile phone. He managed to call his father, repeatedly saying "Abbu, Abbu" (father, father) while being held by the throat.
“About 100 to 200 people gathered and told them who I was, but they did not stop,” he added. “They kept saying, ‘You are a suspect person. Stay quiet. Don’t say a word.’”
The 26-year-old also alleged that officers took his bag and brought him to Khulshi Police Station, where the station chief initially told him to keep his eyes down while speaking.
The officer's tone changed only after a phone call came through, after which Nayeem was told to sit.
Nayeem's father Mahbub Alam, a former ward councillor, told bdnews24.com that locals had surrounded the officers when they tried to take his son away in the same autorickshaw.
He said a case had been filed overnight and that he had heard three police members had been taken to task.
The allegations triggered an immediate storm across Bangladesh cricket and on social media.
In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, the BCB expressed “deep concern” and condemned what it described as the unacceptable treatment of a national athlete.
“Friday night’s harassment and mistreatment of Bangladesh national team cricketer Nayeem Hasan by members of a law-enforcing agency in Chattogram is deeply concerning,” the board said.
“Such behaviour towards a national sportsperson is extremely unfortunate and requires immediate action.”
The BCB called for a “thorough and impartial investigation” and urged authorities to take appropriate action against those responsible.
Nayeem said, after contacting BCB President Tamim Iqbal, the matter was conveyed to BCB Director Israfil Khosru, son of Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, who then spoke to police officers.
The board said it had remained in close contact with Nayeem and his family and was in touch with authorities in Chattogram to ensure the matter was properly addressed.
The CWAB also condemned the incident and demanded action.
“We condemn the physical assault and harassment of cricketer Nayeem Hasan,” CWAB said. “We urge Chattogram Metropolitan Police to take strict action against every officer involved.”
The organisation added that its President Mohammad Mithun had already spoken to Nayeem and assured him that the country's cricketers stood beside him.
Bangladesh T20 captain Litton Kumer Das wrote on social media, “Keep your head high, Nayeem. You are an extraordinary person.”
Litton described the incident as “deeply concerning and completely unacceptable” and called for a fair investigation and swift justice.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim also voiced support.
“What happened to Nayeem is completely unacceptable. I want proper justice,” he said.
“What happened has left me hurt and ashamed. As a citizen and as a Bangladeshi, I strongly protest against it. Nayeem, we are with you.”
ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz similarly demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible, calling the allegations “reprehensible, unfortunate and alarming”.
Several other cricketers, including Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam, echoed the demand for accountability.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Deputy Commissioner (North) Amirul Islam said justice would be served regardless of who was involved.
"We have zero tolerance on this. Police's image is at stake. We will not tolerate anything of this sort.”
He added that officers had gone to the spot based on a tip-off related to smuggled goods, but said whether proper procedure was followed would be determined by the investigation.
"There is no room for assault. Police will work within police procedure. If anyone cannot give a satisfactory account, they will be punished.”
bdnews24.com contacted CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Showkat Ali, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Mohammad Faisal Ahmmed, DC (North) Amirul, Assistant Commissioner (Bayezid Bostami) Md Maraful Karim and Khulshi Police chief Md Ariful Islam for comment, but none responded.
Nayeem holds Bangladesh's record for the youngest player to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
The offspinner has claimed 48 wickets in 14 Tests, including four 5-wicket innings hauls.
He is scheduled to tour Zimbabwe with the Bangladesh Test team later this month.
