The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expanded the committee investigating allegations of misconduct in women’s cricket by appointing two additional members, bringing the total number of committee members to five. The BCB confirmed the development in a press release on Thursday.
The move follows recent allegations by all-rounder Jahanara Alam, who is currently outside the national team. In a YouTube interview, she accused former women’s team selector and manager Manjurul Islam of sexual harassment and mental abuse. In response, the BCB established a three-member investigation committee last Saturday.
The committee is chaired by retired Supreme Court Appellate Division judge Tariq Ul Hakim. The original members included BCB’s only female director, Rubaba Dowla, and senior Supreme Court lawyer, Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla.
However, on Sunday, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) called for the inclusion of at least two independent experts with experience in sexual harassment investigations to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry.
Following this recommendation, the BCB has now appointed two additional experienced lawyers to the committee: Professor Dr. Naeema Haque, former chair of Dhaka University’s Law Department and current member of the Law Commission, and senior Supreme Court advocate Barrister Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman Khan.
The BCB had previously stated that the committee is expected to submit its report within 15 working days of its formation.
