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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will investigate the serious sexual harassment allegations made by former bowler Jahanara Alam against BCB officials, including an ex-selector, Manjurul Islam. The BCB announced that it will establish a committee to look into Jahanara's claims. For the unversed, Alam, who currently lives in Australia, claimed that a former selector behaved inappropriately with her during the 2022 ODI World Cup. "The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has noted with concern the allegations reported in the media made by a former member of the Bangladesh national women's cricket team regarding alleged misconduct by certain individuals associated with the team," the BCB statement read. "As the matter is of a sensitive nature, the BCB has decided to form a committee to investigate the allegations thoroughly. The committee will submit its findings and recommendations within 15 working days. The BCB is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all its players and personnel. The Board takes such matters with utmost seriousness and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation,” the statement added. Jahanara Alam's Shocking ClaimsJahanara Alam stated that she informed about the incidents to BCB director Shafiul Islam Nadel and chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury, but they only offered a temporary fix, and soon things went back to usual. "In 2021, Towhid Bhai approached me through Babu Bhai (Coordinator Sarfaraz Babu). I've said this many times before. I don't know why they misbehaved with me. I tried hard to stay quiet and focus on cricket. But when I tactfully avoided the proposal, Manju Bhai began humiliating and insulting me from the very next day," Jahanara said on a YouTube show with Riasad Azim. "Towhid Bhai never spoke to me directly - he sent Babu Bhai instead. After about a year and a half, I submitted an 'Observation Letter' to the CEO, not a complaint, explaining everything. Babu Bhai had told me to 'look after Towhid Sir,' but I replied, 'He's the in-charge, what is there for me to look after?' I deliberately pretended not to understand the proposal. I'm sharing this so that other girls can also protect themselves this way. That's when Manju Bhai's bad behaviour started." "The second proposal came from Manju Bhai during the 2022 World Cup. I decided to inform the BCB about everything that had happened over the past year and a half. I told Nadel Sir several times - he'd offer a temporary fix, but soon things went back to the same. I even informed the CEO." Alam gave details of the shocking sexual harassment acts by Manjurul, saying that he had a habit of getting too close to the players. "During our pre-camp, while I was bowling, he came up and placed his hand on my shoulder. He had a habit of pulling girls close, pressing them to his chest, and talking near their ears. We used to avoid him - even during handshakes after matches, we would extend our hands from a distance so he couldn't pull us in. Among ourselves, we'd joke nervously, 'He's coming, he'll hug us again'." "Once he came near me, held my hand, put his arm on my shoulder, leaned close to my ear, and asked, 'How many days has your period been?' He already knew, since physics track players' cycles for health reasons as per ICC guidelines. I don't know why a manager or selector needed that information. When I said, 'Five days,' he replied, 'Five days? It should've ended yesterday. When your period is over, tell me - I have to look after my side too.' I just looked at him and said, 'Sorry, Bhaiya, I didn't understand.'" Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.
