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Jahanara Alam criticises Bangladesh Cricket Board’s handling of her sexual harassment criticism, demanding transparency and access to the inquiry.
Former Bangladesh women’s captain Jahanara Alam.
(AFP)
Former Bangladesh women’s team captain Jahanara Alam has criticised the findings and handling of the investigation conducted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) into her criticism of sexual harassment throughout the 2022 Women’s World Cup.
The BCB recently confirmed that it had received the report of its Independent Inquiry Committee — after getting a reprimand from the High Court — which was constituted to look into allegations of misconduct in women’s cricket raised by Alam. The board said it had engaged its legal team to evaluate the findings before taking any further steps.
Based on the BCB’s media release, the inquiry committee examined 4 specific allegations made by Alam. It said two weren’t substantiated by the evidence available and in relation to the remaining two allegations, the committee found prima facie evidence of inappropriate conduct by Md Monjurul Islam, who was the selector and manager of the Bangladesh women’s team on the time.
The committee observed that Islam, whose contractual association with the BCB ended on June 30, 2025, and his behavior were inconsistent with skilled standards and noted that certain actions fell inside the definition of misconduct and harassment under Supreme Court guidelines.
“In view of the report of the Independent Inquiry Committee, the Board has engaged its Legal Team to handle the findings according to the BCB’s zero-tolerance policy on harassment and misconduct,” the BCB said in an announcement on February 3, adding that it was committed to taking appropriate measures in accordance with its regulations and the law.
Nonetheless, on February 8, Alam’s legal counsel, Mahbub & Company, said the final result was ‘not fully satisfactory.’ While acknowledging that the inquiry process had concluded and thanking the committee for completing its work, the statement noted that Alam had not been formally informed of the final result. It further stated that she had not been supplied with a duplicate of the report or any portion of it, “despite being entitled to such information.”
The legal statement also took issue with the dearth of detail within the BCB’s public communication. While the board confirmed that two allegations were unsubstantiated and two involved prima facie evidence against the previous selector and manager, it didn’t specify which allegations were upheld or explain the factual basis for its conclusions.
This absence of transparency, the statement said, was disappointing given the gravity of the matter.
Following the BCB’s media release, Alam’s entourage contacted the board via email searching for clarification on the inquiry report. The BCB responded that issuing a media release was standard procedure and that its legal team was reviewing the report prior to any lawful disclosure. Nonetheless, the board didn’t confirm whether or when the report could be shared together with her.
Alam reiterated that any process coping with allegations of this seriousness should be “transparent, fair and victim-centric.” At a minimum, she has sought formal communication of the findings, access to relevant portions of the report, and clear information on the actions the BCB intends to take, with further steps to be considered once these are communicated to her.
February 08, 2026, 18:44 IST
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