Independent probe sought after Jahanara’s allegations

Former Bangladesh women's cricket team skipper Jahanara Alam's recent allegations of sexual harassment against members of team management have rocked the country's sporting fraternity, who have called for an independent inquiry and a strong response against the alleged perpetrators if proven guilty.

Jahanara, who has taken a break from cricket citing mental health issues and is currently living in Australia, bared her soul in a Youtube channel on Thursday, alleging that former women's team manager and selector Manjurul Islam and late Towhid Mahmud, former in-charge of the board's women's department, harassed her in the national team setup.

Just a few days earlier, the pacer had spoken to a national daily about grouping, favoritism and abusive practices within the national women's team -- but her latest accusations were much more serious.

Jahanara claimed that she had given a detailed account of all the harassment she faced in a letter to BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury in 2022 but no actions were taken.

During that time, the media had reported that Jahanara had sent a letter to the BCB, but it was not discussed in light of any complaints of sexual abuse.

The women's wing chairman at the time Shafiul Alam Nadel claimed that her letter had no mention of sexual harassment.

"Jahanara complained to me that Manjurul behaved badly with her regarding fitness and performance. After several complaints, we removed him from the women's side. But Jahanara never said anything about harassment and neither her complaint to the CEO delved into any description of harassment," Nadel told The Daily Star yesterday.

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BCB to form committee to investigate Jahanara’s harassment allegations

Nadel in a separate interview to a news media yesterday, also said that if the allegations are not proven, the cricket board should take some action for the controversy being brought on former players, management and others.

Bangladesh batter and Jahanara's long-time teammate Rumana Ahmed corroborated many of her allegations.

"I have seen that when she used to practice, no one would communicate with her. One could sense that there was some anger towards her. She didn't share anything with us.

"The way she described things was actually how it happened. He [Manjurul] used to get too close while talking, would place his hands on shoulders. Even juniors complained about this to us," Rumana said.

Asked if she faced any harassment, she said: "No I did not. I would keep distance when he [Manjurul] would be around."

She also questioned Nadel's interview where he defended some of Manjurul's behavior, "He [Nadel] never showed any concern. Whenever we would talk about the problems, he would always give assurances but would not take any steps.

"Strong steps should be taken. A chairman who we complained to, is talking in this way now although things were like that during his tenure. A proper investigation is needed," Rumana concluded.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in a media release on Thursday said it would form a committee to investigate the allegations which will submit its findings within 15 working days.

However, given the severity of the issue, former Bangladesh men's team captain Tamim Iqbal called for an independent committee to investigate the matter.

"Although the BCB has formed an investigation committee, I believe a separate and independent committee should be established under the National Sports Council or the government, with no one from the BCB involved," Tamim wrote on his social media page.

Bangladesh's sports advisor Asif Mahmud said the government will give all kinds of support to Jahanara and ensure "exemplary punishment" for the perpetrators.

"We will speak with the victim, and if she wishes to pursue legal action, since this is a criminal offence, we, on behalf of the government, will look into it with the most seriousness and ensure that those who were involved receive exemplary punishment," Asif said in an interview yesterday.

                                      Meanwhile, Manjurul, currently in China, responded to the allegations in a Facebook post on Friday night, saying he welcomed BCB's decision to form an inquiry committee and is willing to face any investigation.