Former Bangladesh women’s cricket team captain Jahanara Alam has expressed dissatisfaction over the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) handling of the investigation into her allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, citing a lack of transparency.
In a statement issued yesterday by her legal advisory firm, Mahbub & Company, Jahanara’s lawyers said that although the inquiry process has reportedly concluded, she has not been formally informed of the outcome nor provided with a copy of the report.
The lawyers noted that while Jahanara feels relieved that the investigation has been completed, she is disappointed that, as the complainant, she has been kept in the dark about the findings.
According to the BCB’s media release on February 4, two of the four allegations raised by Jahanara were found to have prima facie evidence against former women’s team selector and manager Manjurul Islam. However, the board did not specify which allegations were substantiated or provide any factual basis for the conclusions, a lack of clarity her lawyers described as disappointing.
The statement also said that when Jahanara’s lawyers sought clarification from the BCB via email, the board responded that the report is under legal review but did not confirm whether or when she would be provided with a copy.
While the BCB claimed that the inquiry committee was formed on its own initiative, Jahanara’s side objected, stating that the committee was primarily established to investigate her formal complaint of sexual harassment.
Below is the full statement:
ON BEHALF OF JAHANARA ALAM
This statement is issued on behalf of Ms. Jahanara Alam, former Captain of the Bangladesh Women’s National Cricket Team, by Mahbub & Company, her appointed legal advisors. It responds to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) media release dated 4 February 2026 concerning the report of the Independent Inquiry Committee formed to examine her allegations of sexual harassment, misconduct, retaliation, and breach of privacy during her tenure with the National Women’s Cricket Team.
Ms. Alam notes that the inquiry process has reportedly concluded and that the report has been submitted to the BCB as per the BCB’ Media Release dated 4 February 2026. Firstly, Ms. Alam expresses her gratefulness to the Independent Inquiry Committee for officially concluding the investigation. While this is a positive procedural development and Ms. Alam is relieved, it must be emphasized that Ms. Alam, as the complainant, has not been formally informed of the outcome, nor has she been provided with a copy of the Inquiry Committee’s report or any portion thereof, despite her being entitled to be informed about such report.
According to the BCB’s media release, the Inquiry Committee examined four specific allegations, finding two unsubstantiated and prima facie evidence in respect of the remaining two allegations against the then Selector and Manager, Md Monjurul Islam. However, the release does not specify which allegations were substantiated, nor does it provide the factual basis for these conclusions.
This lack of transparency is disappointing given the serious nature of the allegations.
Following the BCB’s media release, Ms. Alam communicated to the BCB vide an email seeking clarification on the Inquiry Report. The Board stated that the media release dated 4 February 2026 followed standard procedure and that its Legal Team is reviewing the report before any lawful disclosure.
However, despite her request, the Board has not confirmed whether or when the report will be provided. While the BCB claims in the email correspondence that the Inquiry Committee was formed on its own initiative, Ms. Alam clarifies that it was specifically established to officially investigate her formal sexual harassment complaint. Therefore, regardless of the origin of the committee, Ms. Alam is entitled to the final report.
Ms. Alam reiterates that any process addressing allegations of this gravity must be transparent, fair, and victim-centric. At a minimum, she must be formally informed of the findings, provided with the relevant portions of the report and clearly advised of the concrete actions the BCB intends to take in response to the Inquiry Committee’s conclusions.
Further steps will be considered once the report and the Board’s decisions are formally communicated to Ms. Alam.
