The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the formation of a committee to thoroughly investigate explosive sexual harassment and misconduct allegations leveled against several officials by out-of-favour women’s national team pacer Jahanara Alam.
The right-arm pacer, who last played for the national side in December 2024, came forward with the claims in a recent interview from Australia, citing incidents spanning her 14-year career. She stated her primary motivation for speaking out was to ensure a safe environment for her junior colleagues.
Allegations Against Former Manager and Others
Jahanara Alam specifically pointed fingers at former National Team Manager and Selector Manjurul Islam Manju, who was previously removed from his role with the women’s team in 2023 following reports of his alleged arbitrary behavior.
In her detailed account, she also implicated a former manager from the BCB’s women’s division, stating that he used former Women’s Division Co-ordinator Sarfaraz Babu to approach her with various inappropriate proposals starting in 2021.
“When I technically refused, the next day Manju Bhai (former Manager and Selector) started misbehaving with me. I was not accustomed to being insulted and humiliated. It started from there,” Jahanara said, further alleging that the BCB official never made a direct proposition but used Babu to deliver the messages.
She also recounted a particularly disturbing incident during a World Cup camp where she claims Manju inappropriately touched her shoulder, pressed her against his chest, and made inappropriate remarks about her menstrual cycle during net practice and handshakes.
The pacer confirmed that she had formally informed BCB Chief Executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury of the issues in a “letter of observation” about a year and a half after the initial approach, detailing her conversations with Babu.
BCB Response and Investigation
The serious nature of the allegations has created a stir within the BCB. Women’s Division Chairman Abdur Razzak acknowledged the severity of the claims but also questioned their scope, saying: “We will certainly try to find out. There are allegations against so many people. Also, a question arises: how can everyone be bad? Sometimes those dropped from the team harbor resentment. But the allegations she has raised are terrible.”
Following the public uproar, the BCB released a statement confirming the establishment of a formal investigation committee.
- Committee Formation: The BCB has decided to form a committee to thoroughly investigate the sensitive matter.
- Timeline: The committee has been given 15 working days to submit its findings and recommendations.
- Public Appeal: The BCB also requested all parties, including the media, to refrain from making speculative comments, reports, or assumptions until the investigation is complete.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Babu, one of the individuals named in the allegations, confirmed to local media that he is in favour of a fair investigation. Attempts to contact the other accused parties were unsuccessful.
Jahanara Alam is currently playing for different Australian state teams after stepping away from the national side.
