Why are Bangladesh's cricketers boycotting games before the T20 World Cup?

"The move comes amidst uncertainty over the venues for Bangladesh's fixtures at the February 7-March 8 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The players, represented by the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), were acting in response to an outburst by BCB official Islam, who suggested the players should return the crores of taka (10s of millions of Bangladeshi currency) that the board has spent on them over the years, during which the team has not won any international tournament."

"The first match to be affected by the boycott was a BPL fixture between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The match was scheduled to begin at 1pm local time (07:00 GMT), but players from neither team arrived at the stadium, forcing tournament officials to postpone it. The second match of the day, between the Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans and scheduled for a 6pm (12:00 GMT) start at the same venue, was also postponed."

Players in Bangladesh began a cross-format boycott after BCB director Nazmul Islam made scathing remarks suggesting players return crores of taka the board spent despite no international tournament wins. Two Bangladesh Premier League matches in Dhaka were postponed when neither team arrived, including Chattogram Royals vs Noakhali Express and Rajshahi Warriors vs Sylhet Titans. The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh represented the players, who demanded Islam's removal. Islam headed the BCB finance committee and was sacked hours after the first postponement. The situation created uncertainty over Bangladesh's venues for the February 7–March 8 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

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