Dhaka Premier League Clubs Association (DPLCA), Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) and Bangladesh Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (BCUSA) demanded to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday that Lutfur Rahman Badal be banned with immediate effect.
Badal, owner of Premier League side Legends of Rupganj, has a chequered history with the BCB. It got much worse after Badal made disparaging comments against BCB president Nazmul Hasan and a few board directors recently.
Following a defeat against Prime Bank last Thursday, Rupganj chairman Badal slammed the BCB high-ups for manipulation and conspiracy against his side. His comments, expectedly, irked the cricket board and the members who were named in his statement.
Protesting against Badal’s comments at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday, the three parties, DPLCA, CWAB and BCUSA, echoed the same demand – punish the Rupganj owner for his ill-remarks and ban him from Bangladesh cricket. The trio also requested the intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the issue.
Abahani director Kazi Nabil Ahmed, on behalf of DPLCA, said the three parties have gathered together on the same platform to protest against Badal’s offensive and indecent remarks.
“His comment against the BCB was deplorable and has hurt the majority of the cricket organisers in the country. It has also hurt the cricket of the country,” said Nabil before adding, “BCB president Nazmul Hasan holds a rich background and belongs to a distinguished political family. He is an efficient administrator, well-educated and also a proud member of the parliament of the country. At the moment, Bangladesh cricket is achieving heights and fetching good results under his guidance. But, a group is working against him (Nazmul) and Badal is a part of it.”
Nabil claimed that Badal is the “black sheep” of Bangladesh cricket and has been involved with several controversial incidents in the past that have polluted the cricket arena in the process.
“We condemn his acts and on behalf of CWAB, DPLCA, BCUSA and former national captains, we demand the immediate interference of the State Minister for [Youth and] Sports and the Prime Minister. Such a controversial figure and his team should be banned,” Nabil demanded adding that severe initiatives will be taken by the respective groups if no action is taken against Badal by the aforementioned people. Nabil further stated that Badal is likely to be axed as a member of DPLCA. However, the DPLCA will come to a final decision after discussions between its members.
Badal had also criticised former captain Khaled Mahmud, comparing the chairman of the development committee with a BCB “peon”. Yesterday, Mahmud gave his version to the media.
“We never want these incidents or ‘mud-slingings’ to happen,” said Mahmud. “The BCB or none of us ever attacked him personally the way he did. It is not possible to tolerate his negative attitude towards us,” he added.
When queried if the usage of a word like “black sheep” was necessary, Mahmud said, “We are not sorry for using words like “black sheep” or even “filth” against Badal because of the way he behaves.
“I think he was once filth. Now, he has earned lots of money and is behaving nonsensically against the BCB directors and former captains. I think we have used a better word than he deserves.”
